Ethical decision-making in biopharmaceutical research and development: applying values using the TRIP & TIPP model

Area of Science:

• Biopharmaceutical Research and Development
• Medical Ethics
• Organizational Behavior

Background:

• Values-based decision-making frameworks are prevalent in healthcare but scarce in biopharmaceutical R&D.
• Lack of systematic models for ethical decision-making in drug, vaccine, and immunotherapeutic development.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a novel five-step model for ethical decision-making in vaccines R&D.
• To guide employees in applying company values to practical R&D scenarios.
• To support prospective ethical decision-making by engaging employees as moral agents.

Main Methods:

• Development of a five-step decision-making model integrating company values and framing questions.
• Application of the model in case studies within a vaccines R&D context.
• Reporting on preliminary adoption results and employee engagement as moral agents.

Main Results:

• The model facilitates practical, prospective ethical decision-making in vaccines R&D.
• Consistent application of values encourages employee judgment, reducing reliance on extensive written instructions.
• Preliminary adoption by R&D teams shows positive initial results.

Conclusions:

• The proposed model effectively guides ethical decisions in biopharmaceutical R&D, particularly in vaccines.
• The framework empowers employees as moral agents, fostering a values-driven R&D culture.
• The model's applicability can extend to other business areas impacting patients.