Risks of corruption in the healthcare and pharmaceutical sector and the impact of a pandemic

Abstract

Numerous efforts have been made in recent decades to reduce corruption in the healthcare and pharmaceutical sectors around the world, and despite the resources invested in the fight against corruption, humanity cannot be satisfied with what has been achieved thus far. The ability to prevent dishonesty is tested by various incentives or changes in society that can lead to corrupt behavior. In this article, the COVID-19 pandemic, the risks of corruption in the healthcare and pharmaceutical sectors, and the opportunities for selfish and criminal behavior triggered by the viral disease are selected as research phenomena. The article seeks answers to the following questions on the global level: will the incentives for dishonesty in the healthcare sector increase during the pandemic period; if so, what kind of consequences will it have; and what measures could mitigate the extent and opportunities of dishonesty?