Final answer:
Paul Farmer's ethical reason for treating MDR-TB with the correct treatments rather than cost-effective but potentially ineffective ones stems from a commitment to health equity and the prevention of drug-resistant strains, deemed more important than costs.
Step-by-step explanation:
Paul Farmer's ethical reason for treating those with multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB), despite the cost and complexity of the treatments, lies in the belief that everyone has the right to receive effective medical care regardless of their socioeconomic status. Furthermore, Farmer's approach through Partners in Health emphasizes the use of appropriate multidrug therapies because nonadherence to treatment protocols and misuse of antibiotics can contribute to the development of drug-resistant strains of TB, which can be more difficult to treat and control. The ethical considerations stem from the responsibility to provide care that not only addresses the immediate health needs but also curtails the spread of resistant strains, ultimately benefiting the wider community. Aligned with the World Health Organization's stance on 'compassionate use' of unregistered drugs in dire situations like the Ebola outbreak, Farmer likely sees the provision of the correct treatment for MDR-TB as a moral imperative. Such an approach is guided by the principle that the cost of inaction and the potential for losing lives to a treatable disease outweigh the concerns over the expense of treatment protocols. Additionally, Farmer's work is grounded in the idea that health equity and accessibility to lifesaving medications are critical components of ethical medical practice.