I worked for Schering-Plough Pharmaceuticals for a few years in
the late years and early 2000s.
I didn't just see the International Price Sheets, I worked with
them (I was their excel guy for business and information
services and had to mickey mouse data so it looked pretty for
the higher ups and 4000+ sales reps around the USA in every
district). I had a once a year report I had to do involving
International sales and I had all the figures.
Anyway, I'll say no more except this: Businesses are not
non-profit organizations. They should not be expected to be.
Their ethics come from whatever won't bring up a lawsuit, which
includes complying with government regulations and societal
standards.
I don't fault business for behaving this way. It's how things
are in a capitalist society and I don't see it changing, so it's
silly to complain unless one really thinks they can put a nick
into capitalism.
That being said, we *can* coerce the "powers that be" to change
the rules governing restrictions to industry. Private lawsuits
aren't worth much for individuals but that's another
possibility.*
Public shame is another method. Much faster but its
effectiveness is typically limited to a case-by-case basis.
But otherwise? All we can do is complain and go, "yeah they suck
boo". But really, they're behaving properly given the restraints
they're allotted.
