A Pharma-centric Dystopian Vision of Concealed Corruption Behind Transparent Facades
With the COVID-19 pandemic and potential future outbreaks, the pharmaceutical industry has gained immense power, necessitating a resilient supply chain. This has given rise to a Technocratic Pharamaceuticalocracy, where decision-making prioritizes expertise and technical knowledge over democratic involvement. As a consequence, power becomes concentrated among a select few experts and industry representatives, marginalizing public participation. This concentration of power results in policies favoring corporate profits over public health and environmental concerns. The pharmaceutical infrastructure presents a façade of partial transparency revealing ethical practices while concealing illicit activities like counterfeit drug production. This approach aims to rebuild public trust while still prioritizing profit over public health.
Through this design provocation, I aim to challenge the centralization of power within the pharmaceutical industry and the extent of transparency provided to the public. I raise concerns about scanning facilities at pharmacies that claim to offer personalized care and question whether health is solely determined by physical factors or influenced by social determinants. The provision of less potent medications to individuals based on their social status raises ethical dilemmas. Moreover, with the focus on disease treatment rather than promoting overall well-being, prevention, and lifestyle changes- I question the high demand for rapid medical therapy amidst the importance of prolonged rituals of preventative medicine- Can we transition from reactive medicine to proactive health management?
Dystopian Future Artifacts
Social Governance Card 1
Social Governance Card 2
Persona Profiles
