In August 2023, Netflix’s top series is “Painkiller,” exposing corrupt marketing of OxyContin from Purdue Pharma. It highlights how important it is to eliminate corrupt marketing of medications. Real life events inspire the series, shedding light on the tragic consequences, like a mother losing her son.
The docu-drama starts with a gut-wrenching scene. A mother whose son was killed by #OxyContin says “this series is based on real events, but some of it is fictionalized. But the death of my son was not. He was prescribed the drug at age 15 and died at the age of 32, alone. We miss him.” The series provides clear lessons on why marketing from Purdue Pharma was so corrupt. This type of marketing must be stopped!
What Was the Purdue Strategy?
Purdue’s marketing focused on healthcare providers, pushing OxyContin as safe. Sales tactics, including incentives for doctors, contributed to over 250K deaths. The AMA had ties to Purdue, raising concerns about overprescribing. This organization must bear responsibility for these terrible outcomes.
Lessons from Purdue led to stricter regulations on Pharma marketing. The series suggests that Purdue utilized a patient-focused strategy. However, this suggestion is absurd. DTC marketing was not used for this medication, nor could it have been. Tight regulation from the FDA would have stopped it. Instead, a relatively small group of doctors had the greatest responsibility on patient manipulation and addiction. Those doctors are also culprits.
Don’t Overlook The Positive Contributions Made By Pharma Companies
Purdue’s actions must be condemned. However, it is not a fair representation for the industry. Most Pharma companies provide a positive benefit to society. We can remember the contribution that scientists played as we struggled to control Covid. Overall, we should remember the unsung heroes of the industry who work hard to develop medicines that can improve lives. While we must condemn corrupt marketing of medications, we should also recognize these positive contributions.