<SWOT ANALYSIS>

--Using a SWOT analysis framework, discuss CH’s decision to stop producing anti-venom vaccines--

TASK INSTRUCTIONS: 

• Firstly read the case study below and highlight all the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats using different coloured hughlighters. 

• Then paste them into a SWOT grid. 

• Next, write your answer to the questionin essay format, the contents of which should include at least one thoroughly explained weakness and threat to justify why they should stop the vaccine production and one strength and one opportunity to justify why they should not stop producing the vaccine. 

• Finally add a concluding paragraph that outlines your final decision, in which you make a full summary of your justification. 

--COPPER HEALTH (CH)--

• PARAGRAPH 1: Copper Health (CH) was the market leader in the production of anti-venom vaccines to treat poisonous snake bites. CH’s mission – influenced heavily by corporate social responsibility (CSR) – is to put customers first and profits second in the treatment of snake bites.

• PARAGRAPH 2: Despite 100000 deaths worldwide each year from snake bites and 400000 serious injuries, CH recently announced that it will no longer produce anti-venom vaccines. Several large Mexican, Brazilian and Indian pharmaceutical companies have entered the market selling anti-venom vaccines at a much lower price than CH.

• PARAGRAPH 3: A spokesperson for CH said: “We will remain a private limited company where corporate social responsibility (CSR) remains an important driving force for our mission. Our medical research is only financed from retained profit. When the lower-priced competition arrived, our sales and profits of anti-venom vaccines decreased significantly. Treating snakebites no longer makes financial sense. Instead, the technology used to produce anti-venom vaccines will be used to research and develop (R&D) other life-saving vaccines”.

• PARAGRAPH 4: A non-governmental organization (NGO) has demanded action. “CH is the largest manufacturer of anti-venom vaccines in the world. Although CH’s competitors are increasing their production of anti-venom vaccines they will not be able to produce enough to satisfy demand for the next two years. There will be a major shortage. This will result in many life-threatening injuries and deaths.”

• PARAGRAPH 5: The non-governmental organization (NGO) has urged CH to seek new sources of finance to continue the production of the anti-venom vaccine.