In the fall of 2001, following the deadly attacks on the World Trade Center, the
ID: 2626303 • Letter: I
Question
In the fall of 2001, following the deadly attacks on the World Trade Center, the United States experienced the first cases of anthrax it had seen since 1978. The sources of the anthrax spores were letters sent to the American Media, Inc. building in Florida, Tom Brokaw of NBC News, Dan Rather of CBS News, and Senators Edward Kennedy, Tom Daschle, and Patrick Leady in the United States Senate. There were a series of deaths, cutaneous infections and hundreds of employees at these organizations who tested positive for exposure to the anthrax spores. As a result of these exposures, the most effective antibiotic for treating anthrax, Cipro, was in high demand. Bayer A.G., a German company, owns the patent for this antibiotic and a significant ramp-up in production was needed to meet the increasing demand for those who had been exposed to anthrax. Bayer A.G.
Explanation / Answer
What decisions do you think Bayer should make in this situation?
-->Bayer should co-operate with the organisation to produce cipro as per demand.
It should not take advantage of this situation.
Should it suspend its patent voluntarily?
--->Well, Bayer has two options.
It can suspend its patent voluntarily to help others produce cipro in the required amount.
Professor John W. Dienhart, a business ethics professor at Seattle University, stated that Bayer should be a