Initially available only in low doses, sales of the aggressively priced Baycol/Lipobay anti-cholesterol drug pick up when the product is marketed at higher doses, especially in the large US market. On course for 1 billion sales, the product is withdrawn worldwide in response to reports of a number of deaths associated with its use. The withdrawal results in public criticism of the pharmaceutical industry and Bayer, many lawsuits against Bayer, and a decline in the sales and profitability of its pharmaceutical division.
The case can be used to discuss: - the role of product safety for industry and company reputation, and the legal and financial consequences of product liability issues - risk management: identifying and managing product safety associated risks - the tradeoffs between product and financial performance and safety risks
- RD0706
- AR2006
- AR0506
- HMI
- Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Sectors
