Painkiller is a Netflix original film that takes viewers on a journey through the United States’ opioid epidemic.
The drama, starring Matthew Broderick as Purdue Pharma CEO Richard Sackler, is based on a true event in which the business was judged partially responsible for the pandemic for deceiving the public about how addictive OxyContin was.
The show focuses on the events that led up to the catastrophe and stars West Duchovny as Shannon Shaeffer, who was in charge of marketing the pills to doctors.
Some events will be twisted for television, as with any drama, but the series is inspired by two significant works of literature.
It draws inspiration from both Barry Meier’s book Pain Killer and Patrick Radden Keefe’s New Yorker essay The Family That Built The Empire of Pain, and both men have producer credits.
Here’s all you need to know about Painkiller’s genuine tale.
What is Painkiller about and is it a true story?
In the show’s press notes, producer Alex Gibey explained his outlook on the crisis and the series’ approach to it, as it drew inspiration from the two key pieces of writing.
‘The crisis wasn’t something that just happened, like a hurricane or a flood,’ he said.
‘It was something that was manufactured; manufactured by companies looking to make an egregious profit. I realised that this opioid crisis I’ve been hearing so much about was not just a crisis, it was really a crime.’
The crisis began in the United States in the late 1990s, when opioids were extensively prescribed for pain treatment, according to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
There was an increase in general consumption, as well as over-prescription and prescription drug misuse.
The Sackler family has been tied to the problem, and Broderick’s character Richard – who became Purdue Pharma president in 1991 – was a pioneer behind marketing initiatives urging doctors to buy opioids.
Aduba plays Edie Flowers, the lawyer who takes on the business.
Who are Purdue Pharma?
John Purdue Grey started the pharmaceutical business in 1892, and the corporation – which has been plagued with litigation and penalties for its links to the pandemic – was best known as the creator of OxyContin.
When Richard took over as chairman in 2003, $1.6 billion in OxyContin had been sold, and his marketing methods sowed doubt.
He was deposed in 2015, and the corporation paid a $24 million settlement to the state of Kentucky.
Purdue Pharma might proceed with a bankruptcy arrangement that would shield the Sackler family owners from litigation, pending a potential US Supreme Court appeal, it was disclosed last month.
What are opioids?
As defined by the NHS, ‘opioids such as morphine, fentanyl and codeine are super strength medications for pain which can be highly addictive’.
OxyContin is a brand name for the medication oxycodone, which is “used to relieve extreme pain, such as after a surgery or a traumatic accident, or pain from cancer.”
The NHS added: ‘It’s possible to become addicted to oxycodone, but your doctor will explain how to reduce the risks of becoming addicted.’
Painkiller is available to stream on Netflix.
Source My Celebrity Life.