Arguments evaluation (drug licensing and local trials): Should all drugs patented and manufactured in Western countries be tried on a sample basis in India before licensing for sale to the public? Evaluate—(I) Yes: dosage and duration may differ for the Indian population, making local evaluation necessary; (II) No: it is not feasible to implement—determine which argument(s) are strong.
Verbal Reasoning
Statement and Argument
Difficulty: Medium
Choose an option
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AOnly argument I is strong
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BOnly argument II is strong
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CEither I or II is strong
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DNeither I nor II is strong
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EBoth I and II are strong
Answer
Correct Answer: Only argument I is strong
Explanation
Given data
- Policy under consideration: Local sample trials before licensing foreign-patented drugs.
- Argument I: Necessary due to possible population-specific differences in dose/response.
- Argument II: Not feasible, hence cannot be implemented.
Concept / ApproachPublic-health safety and pharmacovigilance support context-specific evaluation. Feasibility objections, without evidence or alternatives, are not strong by themselves.
Step-by-step evaluationStep 1: I appeals to clinical relevance (ethnicity, environment, comorbidities) and is logically strong.Step 2: II asserts infeasibility but provides no substantive reason or mitigation; it is weak as a basis to deny a safety measure.
Verification / AlternativeRegulatory norms often require bridging studies or Phase IV surveillance—consistent with argument I.
Common pitfalls
- Letting administrative convenience override patient safety in principle-level questions.
Final AnswerOnly argument I is strong.