Ep 12. Pain Killer Profits

In the season 10 episode 12 of American Greed, titled "Pain Killer Profits," the audience is taken into the disturbing world of prescription drug abuse in America. The episode explores how some pharmaceutical companies, doctors, and pharmacists have put profits before the health and wellbeing of countless patients.

The episode starts by highlighting the opioid epidemic in America, which has been labeled as a public health crisis. It is revealed that in 2016 alone, around 64,000 people in the United States died due to opioid overdose. The episode then delves into how this epidemic began in the first place.

The audience is introduced to Dr. Lisa Tseng, a doctor based in Southern California, who came to be known as the "Pill Mill" doctor. Tseng was accused of prescribing excessive amounts of painkillers to her patients, many of whom were drug addicts. The episode reveals that Tseng's office was visited by multiple law enforcement agencies, alerting her to the fact that her patients were overdosing on the painkillers she was prescribing.

Despite these warnings, Tseng continued to write illegal prescriptions, and as a result, multiple patients died from drug overdose. The episode highlights the fact that Tseng's actions were not only unethical but also illegal, and how her actions contributed to the overall opioid crisis in America.

The episode then shifts its focus to Jonathan Streeper, who owned and operated a pharmaceutical company called Insys Therapeutics. Insys had developed a powerful opioid painkiller called Subsys, which was initially designed for cancer patients suffering from severe pain. However, it is revealed that Insys started marketing their drug to other doctors, who were then prescribing it to patients who did not require such a powerful medication.

The episode details the aggressive marketing tactics used by Insys to promote their drug, which included providing kickbacks to doctors who prescribed Subsys and even bribing insurance companies to cover the cost of the medication. The episode reveals how Insys' actions contributed to the overall opioid epidemic in America, and how the company profited off of the suffering of countless patients.

The episode also explores the story of pharmacist Gordan Freedman, who owned and operated a pharmacy in New York. Freedman was accused of illegally filling prescriptions for painkillers, even after being warned by the Drug Enforcement Administration about the potential risks of doing so. The episode highlights how Freedman's actions enabled drug addicts to continue to abuse prescription painkillers and how he contributed to the overall opioid epidemic in America.

Throughout the episode, experts are interviewed who shed light on the various aspects of the opioid crisis, including addiction specialists, doctors, and law enforcement officials. They provide insights into how the crisis began, the damage it is causing, and the steps being taken to combat it.

The episode ends by summarizing the key takeaways from the story, emphasizing how the relentless pursuit of profits by pharmaceutical companies, doctors, and pharmacists has contributed to the opioid epidemic in America. The episode also calls for greater awareness and better regulation to prevent such tragedies from happening in the future.

In conclusion, the season 10 episode 12 of American Greed, titled "Pain Killer Profits," is a powerful and insightful look into the disturbing world of prescription drug abuse in America. It highlights the illegal and unethical actions of pharmaceutical companies, doctors, and pharmacists, and how their pursuit of profits has contributed to the opioid epidemic in America. It is a must-watch for anyone interested in understanding the roots of this crisis and the steps being taken to combat it.