Question

1. why are products like medicines produced across several different countries, rather than all in one place?

Explanation:

This practice is driven by comparative advantage: different countries have unique strengths like lower-cost raw materials, specialized labor, or regulatory expertise for specific drug components. It reduces production costs, accesses specialized skills, and allows companies to navigate regional regulatory frameworks more effectively, ultimately lowering the final cost for consumers and improving efficiency.

Answer:

Products like medicines are produced across multiple countries to leverage comparative advantage—accessing cheaper raw materials, specialized skilled labor, or favorable regulatory environments for different production stages. This reduces overall production costs, improves efficiency, and helps companies comply with regional health regulations more effectively.