The Ethics of Drug Availability

Paper Summary:

This paper examines the ethics of dispensing drugs in a situation where the law prohibits doing so. It discusses whether the law of the land takes precedence over the life of the individual. It does not aim to come to a conclusion to the question, but rather explores ethical implications from various points of view. It also applies the Kantian imperative to the question.

From the Paper:

"Strictly from the point of view of law, there is good reason to abide by it at all costs. Supposing that the schedule 7 prescription drug was dispensed for the prompt relief of the terminally ill cancer patient without the physician's consultation on this instance. What is this setting a precedence of? It is too severe to suggest that there could be another trip to the same pharmacist in the near future, of behalf of the same patient, with another dire circumstance calling for another prompt breaking of the law? "

Sample of Sources Used:

• Kant, Immanuel. Grounding for the Metaphysics of Morals. Trans. James W. Ellington. Boston: Hackett Publishing Company, 1993.
• The National Health Service (Pharmaceutical Services) Statutory Instruments 1999 No. 2563. London: The Stationery Office Ltd., 1999.

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