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Olivieri Case: An Ethical Dilemma of Clinical Research and Corporate Sponsorship (The)
Case 9 40 2011 043
Case published in the International Journal of Case Studies in Management, Vol. 9, No. 4
Languages : 
  • English
Keywords: 
  • Organizational behaviour,
  • Corporate culture,
  • Management control,
  • Pharmaceutial industry,
  • Conduct and ethics
Year of production : 
2010
Registration date : 
2011-11-15
Teaching notes included : 
Yes
Abstract

The "Olivieri Case" was a high-profile series of ethical disputes concerning multiple institutions and individual researchers involved in the clinical research on a new drug. The drug was developed during the mid-1980s to mid-1990s to treat an inherited, potentially fatal blood disorder called thalassemia. The initial dispute arose from an attempt to advise patients of potential side effects of Deferiprone (L1). It was subsequently compounded by oversights, mistakes and misjudgements by individuals, public institutions, a private corporation and inquiry panels. This case focuses on issues of research ethics and academic freedom so important to the public interest that it attracted national and international attention.

Primary domain : 
Management
Secondary domain : 
Not available
Sectors : 
  • Education and training,
  • Manufacturing,
  • Healthcare
Source : 
Elsewhere
Type : 
Traditional case 
Type of data used in the production of the case : 
Undefined
Event location : 
Toronto, ON Canada
Year of start of the event : 
1989
Year the event ended : 
2010
Business size : 
6,800
Teaching objectives

The case allows students to understand:

  • The growing pressure of economic considerations in public-sector decisions and how those decisions impact ethical issues;
  • How corporate sponsorship of research relates to business ethics;
  • Organizational theory at both the individual and group/organizational level. In particular, examination of ethical theories such as utilitarianism and the deontological approach;
  • The essence of the conflict between organizations and individuals by having students explore the operational codes or standards each uses as a guide.