Pfizers Drug

Pfizers Drug What are the different phases that a Drug Company goes through in order to bring a new drug product to market in the U.S. and Europe? In the US and Europe markets, new drugs are released in the market after a number of trials have been done. This is necessary to asses their efficacy and safety. Phase one revolves around experimental medicine where trials are done to asses the drugs tolerability and safety. As much as the drug might be administered, this is usually done under a lot of supervision.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Pfizer’s Drug-Testing Strategy in Nigeria specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Phase two revolves around the effectiveness of the drug in relation to the illness (Pfizer, 2011, p. 8). In this case, the effectiveness of the drug in treating the illness is evaluated. This phase is characterized by collecting a lot of information on the drug to see its safety, risks and side effects. As a matt er of fact, the best way by which the drug can be administered and the right dosage are evaluated. Phase three is done on large populations to gauge the effectiveness of the drug. In this case, a large number of participants are chosen to provide a primary basis for the experimental drug. The next step after phase three is registration with the regulatory authority (Pfizer, 2011, p. 5). For instance, the FDA in US and the EMEA in Europe are responsible for registration. After this has been granted, new medicines can then be sold to patients. A new approval refers to drugs that have been given the green light to be marketed. Phase four revolves around post marketing studies that are occasionally done on a drug after it has been registered. Did Pfizer behave unethically by rushing to take advantage of an epidemic in Nigeria to test experimental drugs on children? Pfizer behaved unethically because the drug had not been approved to be administered on 100 children (BBC, 2001, p. 23). Th e company violated three laws thereby leading to the death of five children. As a matter of fact, children and their parents did not know that they were using an experimental drug. Should it have been less opportunistic and proceeded more carefully? There are all indications to show that the company was somehow opportunistic in its moves. It seems that Pfizer did not follow the right step because all the phases were not undertaken (BBC, 2001, p.14). The company took advantage of this epidemic to test its experimental drug and this should have been done more carefully. Were corners cut with regard to patient consent in the rush to establish a trial? Corners were cut with regard to patient consent because children and their parents did not know that they were using an experimental drug. It can be well proven that patients did not know that they were using an experimental drug because the company could not prove it.Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Did doctors keep patients on Trovan too long when they should have switched them to another medication? It is quite obvious that patients were kept too long on Trovan. This is because five deaths were reported yet this could have been avoided (BBC, 2001, p. 9). As a matter of fact, some children developed arthritis yet there were other approved drugs at the field hospital that could have been used. This is well elaborated by the fact that Doctors Without Borders were using an approved drug at that place. Is it ethical to test experimental drugs on children in a crisis setting in the developing world where the overall standard of health care is so much lower than in the developed world and proper protocols might not be followed? It is not ethical at all to test experimental drugs in a crisis setting because better drugs can be used to avert a crisis. The company could have used the right steps in introd ucing a new drug unlike what they did (BBC, 2001, p.17). Later on, the drug was approved to be used by adults in USA yet the company was testing the drug with children. This is very unethical of a large multinational that is supposed to uphold ethical standards in its practices. Reference List BBC. (2001). Nigerians sue Pfizer over test deaths. Retrieved from http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/1517171.stm Pfizer. (2011). Phases of Development. Retrieved from https://www.pfizer.com/science/clinical-trials/what-are-clinical-trials

How the Goddess Athena Helped Hercules

How the Goddess Athena Helped Hercules Youve likely heard a number of references to the goddess Athena and her beauty, but her role as a protector of Hercules hasnt received as much attention. This Greek goddess of wisdom (born fully grown and armed, from the head of her father, Zeus) was also a warrior goddess. Strong and virginal, she repeatedly helped Hercules, the Greek mythological hero. The semi-divine  Hercules, the son of Zeus and a mortal woman, earned a name for himself by defeating fantastic beasts and making repeated trips to the Underworld. However, he also went mad, largely due to the wicked ways of his stepmother, Hera, whod tried to kill him since he  was a baby. Fearful that Hera would succeed at killing Hercules, Zeus sent Hercules to Earth and allowed a mortal family to raise him. Although his new family loved him, Hercules divine strength prevented him from fitting in with mortals, so Zeus eventually revealed his origins to him. To achieve immortality, like his father and other gods, Hercules performed the 12 labors for his cousin King Eurystheus, who, like Hera, hated Hercules. But Eurystheus and Hera hoped Hercules would die in the process. Fortunately, Athena, Hercules half-sister, came to his aid. The 12 Labors of Hercules Which Herculean tasks did Eurystheus and Hera want the demigod to complete? The entire list of 12 labors is below: The Nemean LionThe Lernaean HydraThe Wild Boar of ErymanthusThe Stag of ArtemisThe Augean StablesThe Stymphalian BirdsThe Cretan BullThe Girdle of HippolytaThe Cattle of GeryonThe Mares of King DiomedesThe Golden Apples of the HesperidesCerberus and Hades How Athena Helped Hercules During  the 12 Labors Athena helped Hercules during labors 6, 11, and 12.  To scare off the enormous flock of birds at a lake by the town of Stymphalos during Labor No. 6, Athena gave Hercules noisemaking clappers, known as  krotala. During Labor No. 11, Athena may have helped Hercules to  hold up the world when the titan Atlas went to fetch the apples of the Hesperides for him. While Atlas was off getting the apples, Hercules agreed to lift up the world, a task that the titan normally performed. After Hercules brought the apples to his taskmaster Eurystheus to complete this labor, they had to be returned, so Athena took them back. Finally, Athena may have escorted Hercules and Cerberus out of the Underworld during Labor No. 12.  Specifically, she helped  Hercules in his madness, preventing him  from killing more people than he already had. After tragically killing  his own  children when madness overtook him, Hercules was about to kill Amphitryon, but  Athena knocked him out. This stopped him from murdering his mortal father. So while Athena has been heralded for her beauty, her efforts with Hercules reveal how much of a warrior she was.