Dealers, Doctors, and the Drug Company That Addicted America

In the wake of the opioid crisis, which has claimed hundreds of thousands of lives, a new book investigates the role of the pharmaceutical industry in fueling the epidemic.

Dopesick: Dealers, Doctors, and the Drug Company that Addicted America

by Beth Macy

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	41400 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	385 pages

FREE

Dealers, Doctors, and the Drug Company That Addicted America, by Patrick Radden Keefe, is a meticulously researched and damning indictment of Purdue Pharma, the maker of OxyContin, the prescription painkiller that helped spark the crisis.

Keefe's book traces the rise and fall of Purdue Pharma, from its humble beginnings as a family-owned drug company to its transformation into a corporate behemoth that put profits ahead of public health.

At the center of the story is the Sackler family, the wealthy owners of Purdue Pharma. The Sacklers were determined to make OxyContin a blockbuster drug, and they employed aggressive marketing tactics to convince doctors to prescribe it for a wide range of pain, even when it was not medically necessary.

Keefe also examines the role of doctors in the opioid crisis. He shows how doctors were often misled by Purdue Pharma's marketing claims and prescribed OxyContin too freely.

The result was a surge in opioid addiction and overdose deaths. In 2017, more than 70,000 people died from drug overdoses, and two-thirds of those deaths involved opioids.

Dealers, Doctors, and the Drug Company That Addicted America is a powerful and disturbing exposé of the greed and deception that led to the opioid crisis. It is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand this tragedy and hold those responsible accountable.

The Rise and Fall of Purdue Pharma

Purdue Pharma was founded in 1892 by John Purdue Gray, a pharmacist from Lafayette, Indiana. The company initially sold a variety of products, including over-the-counter medications and veterinary supplies.

In the 1950s, Purdue Pharma began to focus on developing prescription drugs. In 1995, the company launched OxyContin, a new opioid painkiller that was marketed as being more effective and less addictive than other opioids.

OxyContin was a huge success, and it quickly became one of the most prescribed drugs in the United States. But the drug also had a dark side. It was highly addictive, and it led to a surge in opioid addiction and overdose deaths.

In 2007, Purdue Pharma was sued by the U.S. government for misleading marketing practices. The company pleaded guilty to criminal charges and paid a $600 million fine.

But the damage had already been done. OxyContin had become a major driver of the opioid crisis, and Purdue Pharma was held responsible for its role in the epidemic.

The Sackler Family

The Sackler family, who owned Purdue Pharma, played a key role in the opioid crisis. The Sacklers were determined to make OxyContin a blockbuster drug, and they employed aggressive marketing tactics to convince doctors to prescribe it.

The Sacklers also knew about the risks of OxyContin, but they downplayed them in their marketing materials. They also provided financial incentives to doctors who prescribed the drug.

As a result of the Sacklers' actions, millions of Americans became addicted to OxyContin, and thousands died from overdoses.

In 2020, the Sacklers agreed to pay $2 billion to settle lawsuits related to the opioid crisis. But many critics believe that the Sacklers should be held criminally accountable for their role in the epidemic.

The Role of Doctors

Doctors also played a role in the opioid crisis. Many doctors were misled by Purdue Pharma's marketing claims and prescribed OxyContin too freely.

Doctors were also under pressure from patients to prescribe opioids. Many patients were in pain, and they believed that opioids were the only way to get relief.

As a result, millions of Americans were prescribed opioids for pain that was not severe enough to warrant such powerful drugs.

Doctors need to be better educated about the risks of opioids and more cautious about prescribing them.

The Opioid Crisis

The opioid crisis is a public health emergency. In 2017, more than 70,000 people died from drug overdoses, and two-thirds of those deaths involved opioids.

The opioid crisis has had a devastating impact on families and communities across the United States. It has also cost the U.S. economy billions of dollars.

The opioid crisis is a complex problem, but it is clear that the pharmaceutical industry played a major role in fueling the epidemic.

We need to hold the pharmaceutical industry accountable for its role in the opioid crisis. We also need to educate doctors and patients about the risks of opioids and reduce the number of prescriptions for these dangerous drugs.

Dealers, Doctors, and the Drug Company That Addicted America is a powerful and disturbing exposé of the greed and

Dopesick: Dealers, Doctors, and the Drug Company that Addicted America

by Beth Macy

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	41400 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	385 pages

FREE