The Origins of the Opioid Crisis

The podcast episode discusses how Purdue Pharma's OxyContin flooded the market in the late 90s and early 2000s, laying the foundation for the current opioid crisis. Purdue Pharma marketed OxyContin as a safe and non-addictive painkiller, despite evidence suggesting otherwise. Through deceptive tactics and false claims, Purdue Pharma downplayed the drug's strength and addiction potential, convincing doctors to prescribe it for general pain treatment. The FDA also played a role by granting special approval based on insufficient evidence. Purdue Pharma engaged in a massive cover-up to hide the drug's growing abuse. The level of corruption and deception surrounding OxyContin's promotion and the concealment of information is shocking.