Many people in poor countries die from diseases that are curable because they cannot afford the medication required. Do you believe that drug companies should make their products available at reduced prices in these countries?  Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge and experience.  Write at least 250 words.

Countless innocent
lives
have perished in third-world countries every day. Common diseases that can be remedied are taking away
lives
due to
the fact that these people are unable to afford the
drugs
they require. In my essay, I will delve into why I believe that pharmaceutical
companies
should reduce their
price
tag for
drugs
being sold to poorer
nations
and provide my explanations for them.
To begin
, citizens of poor countries are dying at an alarming rate
due to
curable diseases. These common diseases, like flu, are curable by simple medication which is how people of richer countries deal with them on a day-to-day basis. The
price
of
drugs
makes even the most common disease seem like a death sentence.
However
, despite
this
sad plight, no action has been taken by these large multinational pharmaceutical
companies
to reduce the
price
of
drugs
that are being supplied to those poorer
nations
due to
the fear of negative financial implications.
For example
, it is reported by Fox News that the American company Pfizer has refused to reduce the
price
as they are concerned with their share prices at the stock market if their products are associated with cheap rates. Adding on, I believe, that at the heart of a pharmaceutical corporation, helping people should be helm as an utmost priority above profits. Allowing their drug products to be sold cheaper, will help save many millions of
lives
. As a bonus,
this
action will most certainly help build their reputation status.
For instance
, in 2008, a pilot project led by Singaporean drug company, Reddot, sold their
drugs
at an incredible discount of 90%, to poorer
nations
like Senegal and Tongo to aid them fight off their mosquito season which took away half a million
lives
in the previous year.
This
project, received applause from various governments across the globe, especially in the home country of Singapore, which injected one million dollars into the company as an amount to pledge to support the project. In conclusion, I believe that
lives
are more important than profit margins for
companies
that are afraid of being labelled cheap. Reduced rates of selling
drugs
, especially to those who really need them is vital in saving
lives
.
Therefore
, I encourage all drug
companies
across the world to step in and save
lives
, especially those in poorer
nations
.
Submitted by chubbybunny on

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coherence cohesion
Your essay has a strong overall structure, with a clear introduction, body, and conclusion. Each paragraph focuses on a particular aspect of the argument, making your standpoint clear and easy to follow.
task achievement
You've provided relevant and specific examples to support your points, such as the case with Pfizer and the Reddot project. This is effective in making your argument more compelling and substantiated.
task achievement
To further improve, consider exploring opposing viewpoints to provide a more balanced perspective. Acknowledging counterarguments can strengthen your position by demonstrating an understanding of the complexity of the issue.
task achievement
Be mindful of generalisations (e.g., 'all drug companies'). While they can help make your argument feel more encompassing, they might also oversimplify the discussion. Try to nuance your statements where possible.
coherence cohesion
Effective structure with a clear introduction, body, and conclusion
task achievement
Relevant and specific examples enhance your argument

Word Count

IELTS says that you should write a minimum of 250 words in writing task 2. If you go under word count you will lose marks in task response.

A very long essay will not give you a higher band score.

Aim for between 260 to 290 words in writing task 2. This will ensure a concise essay and will be realistic in terms of time management. You have only 40 minutes to write the essay and you need around 10 minutes of planning time, so you will not be able to write a long essay in 30 minutes.

Discover more tips in The Ultimate Guide to Get a Target Band Score of 7+ »— a book that's free for 🚀 Premium users.

Topic Vocabulary:
  • Pharmaceuticals
  • Generic drugs
  • Patent laws
  • Healthcare disparity
  • Subsidies
  • Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)
  • Intellectual property
  • Epidemiology
  • Affordability
  • Global health initiatives
  • Corporate social responsibility
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