Dopesick Season 1 Episode 8 The People vs. Purdue Pharma

In episode 8 of Dopesick season 1, titled "The People vs. Purdue Pharma," the show focuses on the mounting legal pressure facing Purdue Pharma, the makers of the highly addictive painkiller OxyContin. The episode begins with an interview with David Sackler, grandson of one of Purdue Pharma's founders and a former executive of the company. He defends his family's role in developing OxyContin as an essential medication for chronic pain but also acknowledges that the company made mistakes in promoting it.

The narrative then shifts to the legal battle against Purdue Pharma, which has been accused of fueling the opioid epidemic in the United States. The episode presents interviews with lawyers and representatives of various states and municipalities, all of whom argue that Purdue Pharma deliberately misled doctors and patients about the drug's safety and effectiveness. The company is also accused of encouraging doctors to overprescribe the drug and downplaying its highly addictive properties.

The show also highlights the human toll of the opioid crisis, featuring interviews with people who have lost loved ones to opioid overdoses. Many of these families are seeking justice and compensation from Purdue Pharma, believing that the company's actions led to their loved ones' deaths. The episode paints a picture of a system that allowed Purdue Pharma to profit at the expense of vulnerable patients, with little regard for the long-term consequences.

One of the key figures in the legal battle against Purdue Pharma is attorney Mike Moore, who led Mississippi's successful lawsuit against tobacco companies in the 1990s. Moore is now working with other attorneys general to hold Purdue Pharma accountable for its actions. The episode follows Moore as he travels across the country, meeting with families affected by the opioid crisis and building his case against the company.

The show also examines the inner workings of Purdue Pharma, including the tactics used by the company to promote OxyContin. Purdue Pharma employed an aggressive marketing strategy, encouraging doctors to prescribe the drug for a wide range of conditions and downplaying its addictive properties. The company also heavily marketed to vulnerable populations, including the elderly and those with chronic pain.

The narrative comes to a head with the filing of the first lawsuits against Purdue Pharma, with several states and municipalities seeking billions of dollars in damages. The episode ends with a sense of uncertainty, as it remains to be seen how the legal battle will shake out and whether Purdue Pharma will be held accountable for its actions.

Overall, episode 8 of Dopesick season 1 presents a powerful indictment of Purdue Pharma and its role in the opioid epidemic. The show sheds light on the devastating human toll of the crisis and highlights the efforts of those seeking justice for those affected. It also raises important questions about the responsibilities of pharmaceutical companies and the need for greater regulation and oversight.