In today's episode of the ClearlyWell Podcast, we delve into the intricate and controversial history of Purdue Pharma and the Sackler family's pivotal role in the opioid epidemic. We also explore how these real-life events are mirrored in the fictional narrative of Season 4 of the Amazon Prime series Goliath, where the storyline centers around a pharmaceutical company named Zax Pharma.
Purdue Pharma, owned by the Sackler family, introduced OxyContin in 1996, aggressively marketing it as a low-risk painkiller. This marketing strategy significantly contributed to the opioid crisis in the United States.
In 2007, Purdue Pharma executives admitted in federal court to downplaying the drug's addictive potential, acknowledging that they had misled doctors and patients. The company faced numerous lawsuits, leading to a proposed settlement in 2025 where the Sackler family agreed to pay up to $7 billion and relinquish ownership of Purdue Pharma AP News.
The fourth season of Goliath features attorney Billy McBride (played by Billy Bob Thornton) taking on Zax Pharma, a fictional pharmaceutical company responsible for a deadly opioid crisis. The character George Zax, portrayed by J.K. Simmons, leads the company in a narrative that closely parallels the real-life actions of Purdue Pharma and the Sackler family hollywoodprogressive.com.
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