Walmart Response

Question 1

Ethical behavior is the making of decisions with positive traits such as respecting other people’s decisions, integrity, honesty, and fairness by organizations. Organizations should make decisions with a lot of consideration on the impacts on other parties, while meeting the minimum moral standards and expectations described in a society (Nikkah, Khorakia, & Jahangir, 2018). Walmart, while selling opioids, failed to consider the impact these drugs had on users. While conducting business does not impose moral responsibilities and obligations of playing a gatekeeper role, it is only ethical that organizations consider the effects and impacts of their products on consumers. Walmart continued to supply large doses of opioid drugs since the company interests were primarily on making sales, failing to address the issues of addiction that were on the rise every year. The behavior displayed by Walmart is unethical.

Walmart pharmacists and federal regulators gave several warnings to the company concerning prescription and the possibility of an addiction and other complications to consumers. Walmart’s executive branch deliberately ignored the warnings and failed to take appropriate actions. Concerned employees were also threatened with lawsuits and loss of positions. The major concern of the organization was to generate sales and maximize profits. The focus on profits shows that Walmart is not willing to take a different approach, even when that would mean doing the right thing according to societal standards and expectations.

Question 2

To address the nationwide opioid crisis, Walmart should ensure they disperse opioids responsibly and in line with medical regulations on such strong drugs. Appropriate dosage should be applied without exception, including a background search on customers and a follow up on where prescriptions were acquired. Threats and warnings of dismissal given to employees for questioning unethical practices hinder them from following professional standards and legal obligations. To address the country’s menace, pharmacists should be allowed to work freely without threats and intimidation. Moreover, Walmart should follow regulators’ rules on appropriate dispensation of prescription drugs.

Question 3

Pharmacists have high potential in addressing opioid crises by preventing addiction and improving people’s health (Compton et al., 2019). For pharmacists working at Walmart, a duty of care is expected including raising an alarm where misuse or improper procedures are observed. They should regulate prescriptions and report over prescriptions to reduce the negative consequences associated with such strong drugs. Practicing pharmacists at Walmart should check wrong prescriptions and dangerous drug combinations. Additionally, pharmacists should furnish patients with information on the risk of taking opioids, storage, and discarding medication. They can also advise addiction treatment to patients and knowledge on addiction treatment choices in the country. The attractive terms and benefits of employment should not encourage unethical behavior.

References

Compton, W. M., Jones, C. M., Stein, J. B., & Wargo, E. M. (2019). Promising roles for pharmacists in addressing the US opioid crisis. Research in Social and Administrative Pharmacy, 15(8), 910-916.

Nikkhah, F. Z., Khorakian, A., & Jahangir, M. (2018). Explaining the components of ethical behavior in employees & managers of the city.