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95-605: Around the time of Purdue Pharma releasing OxyContin into the market in 1996, the society introduced "pain as 5th vital sign" campaign. APS was reported to be one of several nonprofit groups that advocated use of opioid painkillers contributing to the Opioid epidemic in the United States . In June 2019, the APS was forced to close amid allegations that it colluded with pharmaceutical companies producing opioids. The APS claimed that

190-570: A deal would force states to suspend efforts to investigate members of the family and hold them accountable. In August 2021, US Representatives Carolyn Maloney and Mark DeSaulnier introduced a SACKLER Act to try and prevent people who have not filed for bankruptcy from being released from lawsuits brought by states, municipalities or the U.S. government. Maloney claimed that the Sackler family were using "a loophole in our bankruptcy system to protect their billions of dollars in wealth," and accused

285-420: A drug den . Finnix calls Betsy, expresses his regrets and the two reconcile. Finnix recommends Suboxone therapy. The night before commencing, Betsy has 'one last shot' of heroin; heart-breakingly, it proves fatal. 2002: Meyer meets with FDA and Purdue officials to present the study on deaths caused by prescribed OxyContin, without allowing them prior viewing. Effectively ambushed, both groups of officials dismiss

380-632: A "poison peddler". Finnix relapses, buying Oxycontin from Betsy's dealer. 2000: Meyer tries to pressure the FDA and Purdue to change the indication for Oxycontin as a treatment for severe pain only, restrict dispensers and place addiction warnings on the label. Both organizations push back using very similar language. 1999: Despite being disliked by his wider family, Richard Sackler campaigns shrewdly and they elect him president of Purdue Pharma. Betsy steals and pawns her mother’s jewelry and engages in paid sex to fund her Oxycontin addiction. Her angry father throws

475-547: A 2017 article in The New Yorker , Purdue Pharma is "owned by one of America's richest families, with a collective net worth of thirteen billion dollars". Many US states allege the family is worth more than $ 13 billion. In 2016, Forbes magazine listed the Sacklers as one of the 20 wealthiest families in the U.S. and noted that the Sacklers have contributed money to museums, universities and cultural institutions around

570-561: A Department of Justice appeal to the United States Supreme Court, of a 2nd U.S. Circuit Court Of Appeals ruling that the bankruptcy proceedings may continue. The company's downfall was the subject of the 2021 Hulu miniseries Dopesick , the 2021 HBO film The Crime of the Century , the 2023 Netflix series Painkiller , and several documentaries and books. Purdue Pharma had no relation to Purdue University or

665-457: A Limited or Anthology Series or Movie . In addition, Keaton also won as Lead Actor at the 79th Golden Globe Awards , 28th Screen Actors Guild Awards and 12th Critics' Choice Television Awards . Dopesick focuses on "the epicenter of America's struggle with opioid addiction " across the U.S. on how individuals and families are affected by it, on the alleged conflicts of interest involving Purdue Pharma and various government agencies such as

760-428: A board of five members. Purdue Pharma manufactures pain medicines such as hydromorphone , oxycodone , fentanyl , codeine , and hydrocodone . It makes drugs such as MS Contin, OxyContin, and Ryzolt. In 1972, Contin (a controlled drug-release system) was developed. The most commonly abused medications that the company produces are MS Contin and OxyContin. Both can be abused by crushing, chewing, snorting, or injecting

855-731: A criminal violation and agreed to pay a total of US$ 34.5 million in fines. Friedman, Udell, and Goldenheim agreed to pay US$ 19 million , US$ 8 million and US$ 7.5 million , respectively. In addition, three top executives were charged with a felony and sentenced to 400 hours of community service in drug treatment programs. On October 4, 2007, Kentucky officials sued Purdue because of widespread OxyContin abuse in Appalachia. A lawsuit filed by Kentucky then-Attorney General Greg Stumbo and Pike County officials demanded millions in compensation. Eight years later, on December 23, 2015, Kentucky settled with Purdue for $ 24 million. In January 2017,

950-416: A drug." The ambiguous text "is believed to reduce the abuse liability" became a key issue in subsequent lawsuits against Purdue and was quoted in the 2007 felony conviction of the company for criminal misbranding. David Kessler, FDA commissioner at the time, later said of the approval of OxyContin: "No doubt it was a mistake. It was certainly one of the worst medical mistakes, a major mistake." OxyContin

1045-682: A lawsuit against Purdue Pharma which also claimed eight members of the Sackler family were "personally responsible" for deceptive sales practices and in fact had "micromanaged" a "deceptive sales campaign". In response, the company said there was a "rush to vilify." Purdue started the OxyContin "Savings Card" program in 2008, with patients receiving discounts on their first five prescriptions. Internal company data showed these discounts led to 60 percent more patients staying on OxyContin for longer than 90 days. The court filing for Massachusetts stated, "Purdue determined that opioid savings cards worked like

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1140-428: A mess of contradictions and transformation." Matt Cabral of Common Sense Media rated the series 4 out of 5 stars, praised the depiction of positive messages and role models, citing teamwork and benevolence, and complimented the diverse representations of the actors. Analytics company Samba TV , which gathers viewership data from certain smart TVs and content providers, reported that the first episode of Dopesick

1235-503: A moral, if not legal obligation to take effective steps and address addiction and abuse even as it works to reformulate the drug." In 2004, the West Virginia Attorney General sued Purdue for reimbursement of "excessive prescription costs" paid by the state. Saying that patients were taking more of the drug than they had been prescribed because the effects of the drug wore off hours before the 12-hour schedule,

1330-564: A neuropharmacologist at the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis who said that when it doesn't last 12 hours, patients can suffer both a return of their underlying pain and "the beginning stages of acute withdrawal." Cicero said. "That becomes a very powerful motivator for people to take more drugs." The Times suggested that this problem gives "new insight into why so many people have become addicted." Purdue

1425-413: A non-linear fashion, and praised the performances of the cast, writing, "The series is definitely buoyed by its strong performances, from Keaton’s reserved and reticent Dr. Fennix, to Dever's confident portrayal of Betsy, who just wants to be herself but knows it can’t be in her hometown. Sarsgaard and Dawson do their usual excellent work." Fionnuala Halligan of Screen Daily applauded the performances of

1520-675: A plant located in Wilson , North Carolina ; the P.F. Laboratories, Inc., in Totowa, New Jersey ; and Rhodes Technologies L.P., in Coventry , Rhode Island . Purdue Pharma L.P. also has research labs in Cranbury, New Jersey . OxyContin is currently distributed throughout the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. Distribution takes place from the P.F. Laboratories in Totowa, New Jersey. Rhodes Pharmaceuticals

1615-534: A settlement involving eight states plus the District of Columbia. Under the terms of the settlement agreement, the Sacklers would be required to pay between $ 5.5 and $ 6 billion to a trust that will be used to pay the claims of opioid creditors, including states, victims of addiction, hospitals, and municipalities. The decision would shield the Sacklers from personal civil liability, but not from potential criminal liability. Dopesick (miniseries) Dopesick

1710-588: A settlement with the Sackler family, insurance payments and ongoing business operations and would eliminate the family's exposure to civil litigation. The settlement was overturned in December 2021 by Judge Colleen McMahon of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, on the basis that the bankruptcy code did not permit a judge to release the Sacklers from civil liability. In March 2022, U.S. bankruptcy judge Robert Drain approved

1805-573: A settlement with the attorneys general of 47 states, the District of Columbia, and five territories to pay $ 537 million and to agree not to work with certain narcotics manufacturers. Kevin Sneader, the McKinsey's global managing partner, stated, "With this agreement, we hope to be part of the solution to the opioid crisis in the U.S." Purdue claimed that one dose of OxyContin relieved pain for 12 hours, more than twice as long as generic medications. It

1900-461: A study that found that "76 percent of those seeking help for heroin addiction began by abusing pharmaceutical narcotics, primarily OxyContin" and drew a direct line between Purdue's marketing of OxyContin and the subsequent heroin epidemic in the U.S. According to The New York Times , based on a confidential Justice Department report that was revealed in May 2018, Purdue was also aware of "reports that

1995-464: Is a registered drug and associated issues are a local law enforcement problem. Meyer accepts a transfer to the DEA's Office of Diversion Control to pursue her concerns about Purdue. 1997: Faced with increasing reports of Oxycontin addiction, Sackler hires spokesperson Dr. J. David Haddox who does not believe in drug addiction in a medical situation, instead referring to "pseudo-addiction" which he maintains

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2090-637: Is a sister company that was established in Rhode Island in 2007. The company is one of the largest producers of off-patent generic opioids in the US. Sister companies to Purdue that are also controlled by descendants of the Sackler brothers are Napp Pharmaceuticals in the United Kingdom and Mundipharma that are selling opioids globally. New drugs are being developed under other company names, such as Adlon Therapeutics and Imbrium. Both are based in

2185-628: Is an American drama television miniseries , created by Danny Strong for Hulu . Based on the non-fiction book Dopesick: Dealers, Doctors, and the Drug Company that Addicted America by Beth Macy , it premiered on October 13, 2021, and concluded on November 17, 2021, after eight episodes. The series was produced by 20th Television , John Goldwyn Productions, and The Littlefield Company. It stars Michael Keaton , Peter Sarsgaard , Michael Stuhlbarg , Will Poulter , John Hoogenakker , Kaitlyn Dever , and Rosario Dawson . The series focuses on how

2280-561: Is caused by inadequate drug doses. In Finch Creek, both Betsy and Finnix are now addicted to Oxycontin. Betsy is a gas station attendant and works with a drug dealer to obtain multiple Oxycontin prescriptions, including clinics in Florida . Betsy's family and ex-partner stage an intervention , but at her first NA meeting, Betsy buys Oxycontin surreptitiously offered by another attendee. Finnix attempts to go cold turkey and suffers severe withdrawal, during which he assaults Cutler and calls him

2375-463: Is required to consider American public health. The Sacklers will not be permitted to be involved in the new company. In 2021, the Sacklers sought a controversial ruling from judge Robert D. Drain to grant them immunity and protect their assets from lawsuits linked to the opioid crisis. The Sacklers were seeking bankruptcy-like protection from the court without actually filing for personal bankruptcy. A number of state attorneys general argued that such

2470-431: Is required. 2000: Purdue celebrate $ 1 billion in OxyContin sales. US Attorney for Maine Jay McCloskey sends a letter regarding OxyContin diversion and abuse to all doctors in the state. Purdue officials meet with McCloskey, Sackler instructing them to "hammer the abusers" as law-breakers unrepresentative of legitimate pain-sufferers. Finnix doubts the effectiveness of rehab when realizing fellow addicts have been through

2565-633: The Food and Drug Administration and the United States Department of Justice , and finally, on the legal case against Purdue Pharma and their development, testing and marketing of the drug OxyContin . Most of the characters in the series are fictional and composite characters ; Mountcastle, Ramseyer, Brownlee, and the members of the Sackler family are the only main characters based directly on real people. 1996: Some Oxycontin users find

2660-815: The United States House of Representatives introduced a bill that would stop the bankruptcy judge in the case from granting members of the Sackler family legal immunity during the bankruptcy proceedings. The House Judicial Committee referred it to the Subcommittee on Antitrust, Commercial, and Administrative Law in October 2021. The bill lapsed at the end of the 117th Congress in January 2023. In September 2021, Purdue Pharma announced that it would rebrand itself as Knoa Pharma . As of August, 2023, Purdue Pharma remains in chapter 11 bankruptcy, pending

2755-527: The opioid crisis . Purdue filed for bankruptcy in White Plains, New York , a few days after reaching this tentative settlement. However, many states refused the terms of the proposed settlement and vowed to pursue further litigation to recover additional money, much of it alleged to be hidden offshore. States are seeking to hold individual family members personally liable for the costs of the opioid epidemic, regardless of Purdue's bankruptcy. They contend

2850-683: The 12 hour cycle, but prescribe a stronger dose, thereby exacerbating their addiction. Reports of OxyContin abuse began to surface at the start of 2000. A proactive abuse surveillance program called Researched Abused, Diversion, and Addiction-Related Surveillance (RADARS) sponsored by Purdue Pharma L.P. pronounced Oxycontin and hydrocodone the most commonly abused pain medications. In 2003, the Drug Enforcement Administration found that Purdue's "aggressive methods" had "very much exacerbated OxyContin's widespread abuse." In 2012, The New England Journal of Medicine published

2945-565: The FDA to place a black box warning on OxyContin, indicating significant risk of serious adverse effects. Purdue negotiate other changes to the label, notably stating OxyContin can be used on a continuous, long-term basis. Purdue estimate tripled sales. A disillusioned Cutler steals Purdue's sales training material. Methadone and counseling improve Finnix’s health and sobriety, but methadone use prevents reinstatement of his medical license. Van Zee suggests Suboxone therapy, which Finnix finds more effective. Diane Mallum rescues her daughter Betsy from

American Pain Society - Misplaced Pages Continue

3040-575: The FDA, the APS developed the ACTTION-APS Pain Taxonomy (AAPT) to provide a consistent diagnostic system for chronic pain disorders. The society's official journal was titled The Journal of Pain , and published by Elsevier . The society had issued a total of nine guidelines throughout its period of existence. Purdue Pharma Purdue Pharma L.P. , formerly the Purdue Frederick Company (1892–2019),

3135-413: The FDA, which included approving the wording of certain texts to be used in OxyContin's package insert, or label. Wright resigned from the FDA a year later, and was subsequently employed as a consultant at Purdue with a substantially higher salary. The information label approved by the FDA contained the text "Delayed absorption, as provided by OxyContin tablets, is believed to reduce the abuse liability of

3230-638: The Justice Department give them a copy of the memo, stating it is "purported to include evidence that Purdue Pharma executives may have lied when they told Congress that they had no knowledge of the extensive abuse and diversion of OxyContin before it was made known to them in 2000". The memo recommends that Purdue executives Michael Friedman, Paul Goldenheim and Howard Udell should have been charged with felonies that could have sent them to prison. By 2019, over 1,000 lawsuits have been initiated against Purdue by state and local governments. States across

3325-460: The Phase II candidate VM-902A. The deal could have generated more than US$ 213 million for VM Pharma. OxyContin became a blockbuster drug. "Between 1995 and 2001, OxyContin brought in $ 2.8 billion in revenue for Purdue Pharma." Cumulative revenues had increased to US$ 31 billion by 2016 and US$ 35 billion by 2017. All of the company's profits go to Sackler family trusts and entities. According to

3420-430: The Sackler family, McKinsey consultants suggested that Purdue pay pharmaceutical distributors a rebate for every overdose attributed to the pills the distributor sold. Purdue's vice president of sales and marketing expressed hesitation "on the need to turbocharge sales," but Sackler family members and other executives pushed on with the promotion. Sales soared, while more than 450,000 people died. In 2021, McKinsey reached

3515-487: The Sackler family. In August 2019, Purdue Pharma and the Sackler family were in negotiations to settle the claims for a payment of $ 10-$ 12 billion. The settlement would include a Chapter 11 filing by Purdue Pharma, which would be restructured as public beneficiary trust and the Sackler Family would give up any ownership in the company. Addiction treatment drugs currently developed by the company would be given to

3610-482: The Sacklers knew litigants would be pursuing Purdue's funds and committed fraudulent conveyance . In September 2019, the office of the New York Attorney General accused the Sackler family of hiding money by wiring at least $ 1 billion from company accounts to personal accounts overseas. A December 2019 audit from AlixPartners , hired by Purdue for guidance through Chapter 11 restructuring, said

3705-405: The Sacklers withdrew $ 10.7 billion from Purdue after the company began to receive legal scrutiny. In October 2020, Purdue agreed to an $ 8 billion settlement that includes a $ 2 billion criminal forfeiture, a $ 3.54 billion criminal fine, and $ 2.8 billion in damages for its civil liability. It will plead guilty to three criminal charges, and it will become a public benefit company under a trust that

3800-591: The USA have filed claims for more than $ 2 trillion in the Purdue Pharma bankruptcy case. In 2001, Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal issued a statement urging Purdue to take action regarding abuse of OxyContin. He observed that while Purdue seemed sincere, there was little action being taken beyond "cosmetic and symbolic steps". After Purdue announced plans to reformulate the drug , Blumenthal noted that this would take time and that "Purdue Pharma has

3895-485: The actors, calling the cast "stellar," and praised Strong's writing for not sugarcoating the exploration of the Sackler family and Purdue Pharma's role in America's opioid crisis , stating, "The result is a solid, increasingly effective and satisfyingly well-made drama." Ed Cumming of The Independent rated the miniseries 5 out of 5 stars, found Dopesick to be an ambitious drama series, saying, "It aims to explore

American Pain Society - Misplaced Pages Continue

3990-489: The case with no admission of guilt by the defendants. Brownlee counters with an offer of $ 1.2 billion, which causes the lawyers to leave. Brownlee is called at home by his superior and asked to end the case, which he declines. Mountcastle and Ramseyer find out Cutler stole Purdue's training tapes. They meet him, who is now married and training to become a lawyer. He reveals he did not sign the NDA but tells Mountcastle he did not steal

4085-630: The cast in a recurring role. In December 2020, Michael Stuhlbarg was cast as a series regular. In January 2021, Jaime Ray Newman , Andrea Frankle and Will Chase joined the cast in recurring roles. In March 2021, Rebecca Wisocky and Meagen Fay were cast in recurring capacities. In April 2021, Trevor Long joined the cast of the series in a recurring capacity. Principal photography began in December 2020 in Richmond, Virginia , and Clifton Forge, Virginia , and continued through May 2021. North Carolina and Georgia were in contention, but Virginia

4180-671: The citizens of Everett. The black market sale of the drug out of legal pharmacies based in Los Angeles with distributions points in Everett is also said to be part of the experience of the city according to the suit. No intervention was made by Purdue to contact the DEA for years despite knowing of the practice and the overuse and sale of their product. The suit asks for a yet to be determined reimbursement related to costs of policing, housing, health care, rehabilitation, criminal justice system, park and recreations department, as well as to

4275-509: The city of Everett, Washington sued Purdue based on increased costs for the city from the use of OxyContin as well as Purdue not intervening when they noted odd patterns of sale of their product, per agreement in the 2007 suit noted above. The allegations say Purdue did not follow legal agreements to track suspicious excess ordering or potential black market usage. The suit says false clinics created by unscrupulous doctors used homeless individuals as 'patients' to purchase OxyContin, then sold it to

4370-556: The clinic and they suggest he moves back to the town but he rejects the idea, believing the townspeople don't want him there. Cutler is fired from Purdue for the suspected theft of training tapes. He is offered a $ 75K severance payment but has to agree to sign a NDA . Richard Sackler is informed regarding the nascent Virginia attorneys' investigation and the risk to him personally. Sackler resigns as Purdue Pharma president, appointing CEO Michael Friedman in his stead. 2006: Brownlee meets with Purdue's lawyers, who offer $ 10 million to settle

4465-638: The company was sold to three other medical doctors, brothers Arthur , Raymond and Mortimer Sackler , who relocated the business to Yonkers, New York . The brothers all held a one-third share in the company, but Arthur's share passed to his brothers after his death in 1987. Mortimer died in 2010, followed by Raymond in 2017. Under the Sacklers, the company opened additional offices in New Jersey and Connecticut . The headquarters are located in Stamford, Connecticut . The modern company, Purdue Pharma L.P.,

4560-463: The dangers of Oxycontin; Finnix asks him for some pills. 2001: Meyer organizes a press conference to publicly pressure Purdue into action over OxyContin addiction and abuse. After her manner is described as 'too aggressive', Meyer later crashes a meeting between Sackler, his executives and Diversion officials. She dismisses Purdue's proposed minor modifications and confronts Sackler personally. The Diversion director admits Meyer's confrontational approach

4655-491: The department of Justice of having "been complicit in devising" the settlement plan. As at August 2023, the proposed Act has not passed into law. In September 2021, the company won approval of a $ 4.5 billion (US) plan that will legally dissolve the pharmaceutical manufacturer and restructure it into a public benefit corporation focused on addressing the opioid crisis and repaying individuals and families who were damaged by its products. This restructuring would be financed by

4750-441: The dissolved product. These ingestion methods create a significant risk to the abuser; they can result in overdose and death. Drug-seeking tactics that addicts undergo to obtain the medication include " doctor shopping ", which is visiting a number of different physicians to obtain additional prescriptions and refusal to follow up with appropriate examinations, using " pill mills ", and prescriber practices with lax controls. Along with

4845-419: The drug as prescribed (as opposed to abuse) is dangerous. Meyer expends much time and energy on the case, placing strain on her marriage and attracting the attention of 9/11 hero Rudy Giuliani , who lobbies her on behalf of Purdue. Eventually Meyer's team uncover clear evidence of deaths associated with prescribed OxyContin use. 2001: Public pressure brought by Meyer and doctors including Art Van Zee force

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4940-508: The drug only briefly effective and begin to use alternative medications. Sackler invokes the concept of breakthrough pain for such people and recommends doubling the dose of Oxycontin to treat it. Sales are increased subsequently. Cutler invites Dr. Finnix to an expenses-paid, Purdue-sponsored seminar on pain management in Arizona . Initially reluctant, Finnix eventually attends. Prompted by a lie from Cutler, he makes an impassioned statement on

5035-410: The drugs giant Purdue Pharma may have committed multiple crimes, including wire fraud and money laundering, to boost sales of OxyContin. The document confirms that a $ 654m settlement between Purdue and the government over deceptive marketing claims in mid-2007 fell far short of what prosecutors had actually sought just six months earlier. In 2019, Senators Sheldon Whitehouse and Maggie Hassan requested

5130-490: The evidence remaining under seal and confidential. In May 2007, the company pleaded guilty to misleading the public about OxyContin's risk of addiction and agreed to pay $ 600 million (equivalent to approximately $ 882M in 2023) in one of the largest pharmaceutical settlements in U.S. history . The company's president (Michael Friedman), top lawyer (Howard R. Udell), and former chief medical officer (Paul D. Goldenheim) pleaded guilty as individuals to misbranding charges,

5225-629: The high potential for abuse among people without prescriptions, there is also a risk for physical dependency and reduced reaction or drug desensitization for patients that are prescribed them. Nevertheless, strong analgesic drugs remain indispensable to patients with severe acute and cancer pain. The first step in the marketing strategy was to seek approval to sell OxyContin from the Food and Drug Administration . Purdue managed to get it approved in 1995, even though no long-term studies and no assessment of its addictive capabilities had been conducted. Approval to prescribe OxyContin for "moderate to severe pain"

5320-472: The highest-prescribing doctors. Purdue also wooed doctors with free trips to pain-management seminars in vacation destinations. According to a study in the American Journal of Public Health , "more than 5,000 physicians, pharmacists, and nurses attended these all-expenses-paid symposia, where they were recruited and trained for Purdue's national speaker bureau." In a 2017 presentation to members of

5415-534: The importance of caring for coal-mining communities, and is warmly received by the Purdue team. Unknown to Finnix, the emotionally troubled Betsy Mallum steadily increases her Oxycontin dose and shows signs of addiction. 1996: Betsy's healing injury leads Finnix to taper her Oxycontin use, but Betsy stops taking the drug immediately and experiences withdrawal . Coupled with a traumatic attempt to come out to her devoutly religious parents, Betsy's drowsy inattention in

5510-431: The loss of life or compromised quality of life of the citizens of Everett directly. In May 2018, six states—Florida, Nevada, North Carolina, North Dakota, Tennessee, and Texas—filed lawsuits charging deceptive marketing practices, adding to 16 previously filed lawsuits by other U.S. states and Puerto Rico. By January 2019, 36 states were suing Purdue Pharma. In 2019, Massachusetts attorney general Maura Healey filed

5605-661: The mine causes an explosion. Rushing to the site, Finnix is involved in a car crash and suffers cracked ribs. The ER doctor offers Finnix a high dose of Oxycontin, which he reluctantly takes. At Purdue, Sackler pushes to have Oxycontin registered in Germany, noting that passing the notoriously tough German approval process would enable obtaining worldwide approvals. 1999: Meyer is told by a pharmacist that his efforts to cease stocking Oxycontin, in response to repeated break-ins, were met with legal threats from Purdue. Meyer's DEA superior refuses to authorize investigation, stating Oxycontin

5700-429: The miniseries announcement, Michael Keaton was also cast in a starring role. In September 2020, Peter Sarsgaard , Kaitlyn Dever , Will Poulter , and John Hoogenakker joined the main cast, with Phillipa Soo and Jake McDorman joining in recurring roles. In October 2020, Rosario Dawson was cast as a series regular, while Ray McKinnon was cast in a recurring role. In November 2020, Cleopatra Coleman joined

5795-404: The number of people dying from overdoses. From 1999 to 2020, nearly 841,000 people died from drug overdoses in the United States, with prescription and illicit opioids responsible for 500,000 of those deaths. A series of lawsuits followed. In 2007, Purdue paid out one of the largest fines ever levied against a pharmaceutical firm for misleading the public about how addictive the drug OxyContin

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5890-615: The opioid crisis, photographer Nan Goldin launched the organization P.A.I.N. , to pressure museums and other cultural institutions to divest from Sackler Family philanthropy. As of May 2023 , at least 20 institutions have dropped the Sackler name, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and Yale University in the USA; and the National Gallery in London. Other institutions have stopped accepting donations from

5985-543: The opioid epidemic started and the people in the U.S. were impacted by it. Dopesick received positive reviews from critics, with particular praise for the performances of the cast, most notably those of Michael Keaton and Kaitlyn Dever . At the 74th Primetime Emmy Awards , the series received 14 nominations, including Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series and acting nominations for Keaton, Dever, Peter Sarsgaard , Michael Stuhlbarg , Will Poulter , and Mare Winningham , with Keaton winning for Outstanding Lead Actor in

6080-399: The performances of the cast and their chemistry, writing, " Dopesick deftly corrals the vast addiction epidemic through intimate, deeply engrossing stories of human devastation." Reviewing the series for USA Today , Kelly Lawler gave a rating of 3 out of 4 stars and described the cast as "excellent and empathetic, helping ground the series. Keaton is at his best, mastering a character who's

6175-500: The period leading up to the 74th annual Emmy Awards during the eligibility period from June 1, 2021, to May 31, 2022. It had a notable demand of 12.62 times the average series demand, placing it among the higher-demand nominees in the Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series category. The series later saw a notable 10.8% increase in demand following its season finale, which aired on November 17, 2021. This uptick in interest

6270-453: The pills down the garbage disposal, causing Betsy to have a violent tantrum. She is committed to rehabilitation . Finnix badly botches a surgical procedure while high . Accompanying the injured patient to the ER, Finnix asks for Oxycontin. The ER doctor has Finnix arrested; his medical license is suspended, and he is placed in 90-day rehabilitation. Cutler visits and apologizes for his naivety about

6365-583: The pills were being crushed and snorted; stolen from pharmacies; and that some doctors were being charged with selling prescriptions." Over a hundred internal company memos between 1997 and 1999 included the words "street value", "crush", or "snort". In October 2006, Kirk Ogrosky, Deputy Chief of the Fraud Division at the US Department of Justice, wrote an internal memorandum which shows that government prosecutors found evidence that executives at

6460-405: The program multiple times, and Finnix still craves OxyContin. Upon leaving rehab, he quickly relapses and reluctantly enters a methadone program . Betsy Mallum fights her OxyContin addiction with intense exercise and prayer, despite being an atheist . She eventually tries heroin as a cheaper option to OxyContin. 2002: FDA officials tell Meyer they will act on OxyContin if it can be proved use of

6555-402: The public cost-free. All profits of Purdue would henceforth go to the plaintiffs in the case. On top of that, the Sackler family would contribute $ 3 billion in cash. The family would also sell Mundipharma and contribute another $ 1.5 billion from the sales proceeds to the settlement. However, the Sackler family would remain a billionaire family and would not be criminally charged for contributing to

6650-535: The reason for the bankruptcy was the numerous legal expenses which resulted from lawsuits claiming the organization was acting as a front group for opioid drugmakers . The Chronicle of Higher Education reported that several former APS members are organizing a new society called the U.S. Association for the Study of Pain . Together with The Analgesic, Anesthetic, and Addiction Clinical Trial Translations Innovations Opportunities and Networks (ACTTION) partnership with

6745-447: The same building as their parent company in downtown Stamford and share employees. Richard Sackler , the son of Raymond Sackler, started work at the company in 1971. He was named president in 1999 and became co-chairman of the board in 2003. Richard oversaw the research department that developed OxyContin and managed the sales and marketing unit. Craig Landau was appointed CEO on June 22, 2017. He joined Purdue Pharma L.P. in 1999 and

6840-413: The scandal from the Sacklers down, opening with the development of the drug in the 1980s, to show how greedy bosses and avaricious sales reps were able to hijack the good intentions of doctors all over the country," praised the performances of the cast members and called the script "admirably tight," while complimenting the direction. Kristen Baldwin of Entertainment Weekly gave the series an A−, praised

6935-447: The settlement hearing in 2007, family members of OxyContin's victims confront Purdue's executives. Meyer celebrates with Mountcastle and Ramseyer although Mountcastle thinks Purdue will escape justice. On June 17, 2020, it was announced that Hulu had given the production a limited series order consisting of eight episodes based on the book, Dopesick: Dealers, Doctors and the Drug Company that Addicted America by Beth Macy . The series

7030-426: The state charged Purdue with deceptive marketing . In his ruling the trial judge wrote: "Plaintiff's evidence shows Purdue could have tested the safety and efficacy of OxyContin at eight hours, and could have amended their label, but did not." The case never went to trial; Purdue agreed to settle by paying the state US$ 10 million (equivalent to approximately $ 16M in 2023) for programs to discourage drug abuse, with all

7125-476: The study's findings. Meyer's confrontational style is again scorned by colleagues. 2002: Finnix continues to make progress but is told he may never get off the medication that prevents him from regaining his medical license. He encounters Elizabeth and tells her about the medical program that has worked for him. She agrees to try it. Finnix goes to see Betsy's parents and apologizes to them but they react coldly. Finnix starts driving other patients from Finch Creek to

7220-467: The tapes. Later, the tapes are sent to Mountcastle anonymously. The tapes, which are damning evidence, are used as leverage by Brownlee, forcing Purdue to agree to a $ 600M settlement with misdemeanor admissions by Purdue's executives. Brownlee is then slated to be fired by Main Justice as retribution when he informs his superiors that he will not delay the settlement, but the decision is later overturned. At

7315-407: The teaser rate on a long-term and very high-stakes mortgage." In March 2019, Purdue Pharma reached a $ 270 million settlement in a lawsuit filed by Oklahoma, which claimed its opioids contributed to the deaths of thousands of people. The family's philanthropy has been characterized as reputation laundering from profits acquired from the selling of opiates. In response to the role of Purdue in

7410-600: The time of OxyContin's release, the American Pain Society introduced its "pain as fifth vital sign" campaign. Veterans Health Administration adopted the campaign as its national pain management strategy. In September 2015, the company's website said it had some 1,700 people on its payroll. That same month, the company announced it would acquire VM Pharma in the process gaining access to worldwide development and commercial rights to an allosteric selective tropomyosin receptor kinase inhibitor program, i.e.,

7505-538: The university's college of pharmacy , something Purdue University has made clear on multiple occasions to avoid association. The company that became Purdue Pharma was founded in 1892 by medical doctors John Purdue Gray and George Frederick Bingham in New York City as the Purdue Frederick Company. The company made a tonic compound made with sherry and glycerin. Sixty years later, in 1952,

7600-485: The weight of its subject matter, but strong performances from Michael Keaton and Kaitlyn Dever and an empathetic approach to the very real people impacted by the opioid crisis make for harrowing drama." Metacritic , which uses a weighted average, assigned a score of 68 out of 100 based on 25 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews". Joel Keller of Decider called the series ambitious and sprawling, stating Danny Strong succeeds to provide different stories in

7695-710: The world. However, the Purdue website makes little mention of anyone in the Sackler family or their ownership of the company. Allen Frances, former chair of psychiatry at Duke University School of Medicine, said: “Their name has been pushed forward as the epitome of good works and of the fruits of the capitalist system. But, when it comes down to it, they’ve earned this fortune at the expense of millions of people who are addicted. It’s shocking how they have gotten away with it.” The company's branches include Purdue Pharma L.P., The Purdue Frederick Company, Purdue Pharmaceutical Products L.P., and Purdue Products L.P. Its manufacturing takes place at three sites: Purdue Pharmaceuticals L.P.,

7790-488: Was a much larger market than that for cancer-related pain, making up 86% of the total opioid market in 1999. Purdue's promotion of OxyContin for the treatment of non–cancer-related pain led to a nearly tenfold increase in prescriptions for less serious pain, from about 670,000 in 1997 to about 6.2 million in 2002. Purdue enlisted consulting firm McKinsey & Company to decide and implement OxyContin marketing strategies. McKinsey suggested Purdue focus its sales rep visits to

7885-684: Was an American privately held pharmaceutical company founded by John Purdue Gray. It was sold to Arthur , Mortimer , and Raymond Sackler in 1952, and then owned principally by the Sackler family and their descendants. The company manufactured pain medicines such as hydromorphone , fentanyl , codeine , hydrocodone and oxycodone , also known by its brand name, OxyContin. The Sacklers developed aggressive marketing tactics persuading doctors to prescribe OxyContin in particular. Doctors were enticed with free trips to pain-management seminars (which were effectively all-expenses-paid vacations) and paid speaking engagements. Sales of their drugs soared, as did

7980-455: Was chief medical officer and as vice president of R&D innovation, clinical and medical affairs. In 2013, he was appointed president and CEO of Purdue Pharma (Canada). In 2018, eight members of the Sackler family were listed as active or former members of the board of directors. Steve Miller became chairman in July 2018. By early 2019, the Sacklers had departed the Purdue Pharma board, leaving

8075-409: Was compared to other pain medications. In response to the lawsuits, the company shifted its focus to abuse-deterrent formulations, but continued to market and sell opioids as late as 2019 and continued to be involved in lawsuits around the opioid epidemic in the United States . Purdue filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on September 15, 2019, in New York City . On October 21, 2020, it

8170-416: Was created by Danny Strong who also serves as executive producer alongside Michael Keaton , Warren Littlefield , John Goldwyn , Beth Macy, Karen Rosenfelt, and Barry Levinson , who directed the limited series. Production companies involved with the series are 20th Television (replacing the initially announced Fox 21 Television Studios), John Goldwyn Productions and The Littlefield Company. Alongside

8265-458: Was granted by Dr Curtis Wright IV , the medical review officer for the FDA. According to Purdue documents in a review conducted in 2006 by the Justice Department, Wright met with Purdue Pharma representatives in a hotel room near the FDA offices in Rockville, Maryland, between January 31 to February 2, 1995. He allowed the company to help draft his medical officer's review (MOR) of OxyContin for

8360-416: Was incorporated in 1991 and focused on pain management medication, calling itself a "pioneer in developing medications for reducing pain, a principal cause of human suffering". In 1984, its extended-release formulation of morphine, MS Contin was released. OxyContin was released in 1996 after Curtis Wright , an employee of the Food and Drug Administration approved its use on a 12-hour dosage cycle. Around

8455-508: Was marketed as "smooth and sustained pain control all day and all night" when taken on a 12-hour schedule. However, most patients found it wore off after eight hours or less. A 2016 investigation by the Los Angeles Times reported that in many people OxyContin's 12-hour schedule does not adequately control pain, resulting in withdrawal symptoms including intense craving for the drug. The Los Angeles Times quoted Theodore J. Cicero,

8550-424: Was part of the show's strong performance over its first month, during which episodes were released weekly. The Hulu original continued to maintain high demand, reflecting its sustained popularity and engagement with viewers. Dopesick was one of Hulu's top-performing originals this year, based on U.S. consumer demand as measured by Parrot Analytics in 2022. The series has achieved "outstanding demand" by placing it in

8645-418: Was reported that Purdue had reached a settlement potentially worth US$ 8.3 billion, admitting that it "knowingly and intentionally conspired and agreed with others to aid and abet" doctors dispensing medication "without a legitimate medical purpose." Members of the Sackler family will additionally pay US$ 225 million and the company will close. Some state attorneys general protested the plan. In March 2021,

8740-723: Was selected for its tax incentives and locations. Dopesick was released on Hulu on October 13, 2021. The first episode screened at the Virginia Film Festival on October 30, 2021, followed by a discussion with Danny Strong and Beth Macy . Internationally, the series premiered on the Star content hub of Disney+ , Disney+ Hotstar and Star+ on November 12, 2021, The review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes reported an 89% approval rating with an average rating of 7.7/10, based on 73 critic reviews. The website's critics consensus reads, " Dopesick at times sinks under

8835-468: Was streamed by 261,000 U.S. households on Hulu within its first four days. Nielsen Media Research , which records streaming viewership on U.S. television screens, estimated that the series was watched for 214 million minutes from November 8–14, 2021. According to market research company Parrot Analytics, which looks at consumer engagement in consumer research, streaming, downloads, and on social media, Dopesick demonstrated significant audience interest for

8930-447: Was systematically marketed as if it had very limited potential for addiction or abuse. Purdue trained its sales representatives to convey to doctors that the risk of addiction from OxyContin was "less than one percent." A related feature of this strategy was that, because of the purported low risk, it could be prescribed as an effective treatment for chronic pain from virtually any condition, not just cancer. This "non-malignant pain market"

9025-405: Was well aware that OxyContin did not provide pain relief for 12 hours even before the drug went to market, but "held fast to the claim of 12-hour relief, in part to protect its revenue [because] OxyContin's market dominance and its high price—up to hundreds of dollars per bottle—hinge on its 12-hour duration." Instead of prescribing small doses more frequently, doctors were advised to keep patients on

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