Case Study:
Ethics in Commerce
Sparrow Pharmaceuticals is the maker of several popular drugs used to treat high blood pressure and arthritis. Over time, the company has developed a positive relationship with many of the patients who use its medications through a quarterly newsletter that offers the latest information on new medical research findings and general health and fitness articles. The company just has been acquired by a group of investors who also own Soothing Waters Hot Tubs and Spas. The marketing director for Soothing Waters would like to use Sparrow's mailing list for a direct-mail promotion.
Ethics Questions:
Question 1: What should Sparrow Pharmaceuticals do?
Question 2: Do you think it is ethical to use customer information across multiple divisions of the same company? Explain.
Question 3: To which marketing management philosophy do you think the marketing director for Soothing Waters subscribes? Explain.
Question 4: Does the AMA Statement of Ethics address the use of the customer information by multiple divisions of the same company?. Then write a brief paragraph on how the AMA Statement of Ethics relates to Sparrow Pharmaceuticals' dilemma.
You are required to write between 500 - 750 words.