The Hindu Business Line : Food, drugs and ethics

Recently, a civil society representative told a gathering at Singapore that a popular brand of noodle was sold in India for just a rupee for some time, and as people got used to the delicacy, and as the market expanded, the price multiplied ten-fold or more. Only experts of business ethics would know if the hike is justified or not.

I used to get e-mails telling me that somebody had placed a tooth in one of the popular soft-drink bottles, allowed it to stay there for several months only to discover it melting. Moral: Not to buy that particular soft-drink. Yet, there is not much change in its market share, and I have not come across testimonies by dentists about the soft-drink creating more business for them. If soft-drinks were to cause tooth decay, the ‘surgeon general’ would have sent a warning which would have been carried on the soft-drink bottles and packs. Sending an e-mail is, perhaps, beyond business ethics.

Water is to be supplied by governments as a matter of duty. In low-income countries, it is often done by digging a bore-well and making consumers buy and drink untested water. Ethical behaviour is required of governments too; to a higher extent than businesses.

The matter takes a far more serious turn when it comes to medicines. The most serious problem is adulteration. I received the following message from a friend, with the requisite knowledge and expertise: “India and Pakistan have become a dumping ground for banned drugs; also the business for production of banned drugs is booming. Please make sure that you buy drugs only prescribed by a doctor. Also, ask which company manufactures it; this would help to ensure that you get what is prescribed at the drug store... Not many people know about these banned drugs and consume them causing a lot of damage to themselves.”

Everyone condemns drug adulteration, which if detected, could lead to serious punishments. Worse, if the maker of the look-alike inferior drug were to enjoy the patronage of a doctor. One cannot always expect the patients to discover that the drug is adulterated and report the same to the authorities. Those in charge of approving medicines must be severely punished if they are corrupt and approve ineffective or harmful drugs. In July, China executed a top official, who was the head of State Food and Drug Administration in 1998 through 2005. He was found guilty of corruption to the tune of $850,000. We are in an era of global brands tempting consumers with enticing advertisements. How can one be certain that what is being consumed is safe? Should there be independent testers and approvers, in addition to the regulatory authorities?

(The author is Visiting Faculty, Sri Sathya Sai University, Prasanthi Nilayam. He can be reached at bhanoji@gmail.com)

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