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A DECONSTRUCTION OF THE TERM PHARMAKON: An Analysis of Ethical Issues of the Availability of Pharmaceuticals in Contemporary Society
Živka Juričić
; Farmaceutsko-biokemijski fakultet Sveučilišta u Zagrebu
Sažetak
A number of sociological research reveal that the ethical dimension of the pharmaceutical practice is in danger of being suspended. This tendency is noticeable in the process of the discovery of pharmaceuticals (pre-clinical and clinical studies), their production, distribution, sale, marketing, post-marketing and usage, as well as in the meanings attributed to pharmaceuticals by laypeople. In addition, it is visible in everyday conduct of pharmacy professionals, especially in the dispensation of over-the-counter and prescription products. The time for a new ethics of pharmaceuticals has arrived. A strong foundation for this new ethics of pharmaceuticals is given by the term pharmakon, introduced and extensively examined in Plato's “Phaedrus”. Firstly, this paper offers a discussion on the different meanings of this term, which does not simply involve a superficial reproduction of various definitions, but a deep analysis of its fundamental implications. Secondly, the paper relies on the deconstruction of the term pharmakon. It argues that this term carries significant theoretical implications, or conceptual solutions, which can be applied to the rethinking of important issues relating to contemporary pharmaceuticals, especially chemical drugs. In other words, Platon's pharmakon can be understood as an instruction for practical action (ethics is always related to practical human action), or a solution for developing the types of practical “guidelines” or “normative order” necessary for managing contemporary pharmaceuticals, on both the macro-social (legislation) and micro-social levels (in everyday lives where pharmaceuticals are in common use).
Ključne riječi
pharmakon; biomedical pharmaceuticals; ethics; deregulated capitalism; deregulated pharmaceuticals market; regulation of drugs; pharmacist's control over pharmaceuticals
Hrčak ID:
137656
URI
Datum izdavanja:
7.4.2015.
Posjeta: 2.123 *