Frontline Season 22 Episode 4 Dangerous Prescription

In Frontline season 22 episode 4, titled Dangerous Prescription, the investigative journalists delve into the opioid epidemic that has been plaguing the United States for the past decade. This timely episode provides an in-depth look into the controversial practices of one of the largest pharmaceutical companies in the country, Purdue Pharma, which is responsible for manufacturing the highly addictive painkiller OxyContin.

The episode focuses on the company's aggressive marketing tactics, which led to widespread over-prescription of the drug and ultimately fueled the opioid epidemic. Through interviews with former Purdue Pharma sales representatives, doctors, and experts, viewers gain insight into the company's tactics, including their push to downplay the drug's addictive nature, incentivizing doctors to prescribe the drug, and lobbying efforts to influence legislation around opioid prescriptions.

Frontline also covers the devastating impact of the opioid epidemic on families and communities, featuring firsthand accounts from those affected by addiction. One particularly moving segment follows a woman who lost her son to an opioid overdose, and subsequently became an advocate for reforming pharmaceutical industry practices.

The episode dives into the legal battles Purdue Pharma faced in the wake of their actions, including a landmark case that could have major implications for the pharmaceutical industry as a whole. Through interviews with lawyers and legal experts, Frontline explores the challenges of holding large corporations accountable for their actions and the potential consequences of not doing so.

Dangerous Prescription is a powerful and thought-provoking episode that sheds light on a complex issue that has affected millions of Americans. By providing a comprehensive look at the opioid crisis, Frontline encourages viewers to think critically about the role of pharmaceutical companies in public health and the importance of accountability in ensuring the safety and well-being of all citizens.