Morning Wire Prescription for Disaster: Purdue Pharma’s Role in America’s Opioid Crisis | 11.25.23
Nov 25, 2023
Barry Meyer, an investigative journalist and author of 'Pain Killer,' sheds light on Purdue Pharma's catastrophic impact on the opioid crisis. He reveals the shocking statistics behind over one million overdose deaths since 1999. The discussion dives into Purdue's deceptive marketing tactics, which misrepresented OxyContin as a safe pain management option while obscuring its addictive dangers. Meyer also highlights the global differences in opioid use and the disturbing trends of misuse among teenagers. This eye-opening conversation uncovers the dark realities of pharmaceutical greed.
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OxyContin's Deceptive Beginnings
- Barry Meier first reported on OxyContin's misuse in 2001 for the New York Times.
- Purdue Pharma, the manufacturer, falsely promoted the drug as safe and non-addictive.
Purdue's Marketing Tactics
- Purdue downplayed OxyContin's strength and marketed it for general pain, unlike morphine, which was limited to severe pain management.
- They falsely claimed a low addiction rate and got FDA approval with no supporting evidence.
Deception and Cover-up
- Purdue employed deceptive tactics like cherry-picking data, making false addiction claims, and training sales reps to mislead doctors.
- They also actively concealed evidence of the drug's growing abuse to protect their profits.
