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Ethical Transparency and Economic Medicalization

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Abstract

This article introduces the concept of economic medicalization where non-medical problems are transformed into medical problems in order to achieve the objective of corporate shareholder wealth maximization. Following an overview of the differences in ethical norms applicable to medical ethics and business ethics, the economic medicalization of medical research practice and publication is examined in some detail. This motivates a general discussion of the problems involved in the ethical approval process for medical research that balances the interests of both business and government in the market for medical products and services.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Business Administration, Simon Fraser University, Vancouver, BC, Canada, V5A 1S6

    Geoffrey Poitras & Lindsay Meredith

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  1. Geoffrey Poitras
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  2. Lindsay Meredith
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Correspondence to Geoffrey Poitras.

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Poitras, G., Meredith, L. Ethical Transparency and Economic Medicalization. J Bus Ethics 86, 313–325 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-008-9849-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-008-9849-2

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