The aggressive marketing of dangerously potent and addictive opioids by pharmaceutical companies has driven an alarming rise in global drug addiction and death. America has been at the epicentre of this epidemic.
“All over the country these doctors were being bribed and were writing massive volumes of prescriptions for one of the most dangerous drugs on the market.” Prosecutor.
Insys Therapeutics was a multi-million-dollar pharmaceutical company which made a fortune from one such drug. Up to one hundred times stronger than morphine, the fentanyl-based painkiller promised fast and effective relief from the most acute pain. Instead of helping those in need, the drug fuelled America’s devastating opioid epidemic in the shameless pursuit of profit.
“It wasn’t about cancer patients. It was about getting as many people as you could on the drug.” Former sales team member.
Once the talk of Wall Street as a hot stock to watch, the company Insys is now in disgrace. It’s the first pharmaceutical company to have its top executives sentenced to prison in connection with the opioid crisis.
“This is not only about punishing these defendants. It’s about making the next pharma company think hard about its basic responsibilities as a corporate entity and about not victimising the public so it can make more money.” US Attorney.
Now the lengths this company went to in order to increase its sales have been exposed.
“It all comes down to targeting. You have to find their hot button—whatever makes them tick. And it sounds ruthless, and it is ruthless.” Former head of sales.
In startling interviews with former employees, they reveal how bribery, sex and unscrupulous sales tactics were the secret to the company’s success.
“I was not nearly as concerned at hiring a former Playboy model or a former exotic dancer as I was assessing whether or not they had what I call, unfortunately, ‘a killer instinct’—almost no conscience.” Former head of sales.
The company thrived on a ‘whatever it takes’ approach and incentivised sales staff to sell as much of the drug as possible, in ever stronger doses.
“This is where the dirt is; this is probably the most guilty thing in the company. If you had a doctor that wrote a prescription, it was a bonus on your pay cheque”. Former sales representative.
Complicit doctors prescribed the drug to patients who did not need it. As a result, some patients became hopelessly addicted, others died of overdose.
“I didn’t think about the patient, the people suffering, the addiction, the deaths…All these lives that are being affected, I managed to successfully compartmentalize where it wasn’t in the forefront on a daily basis. Because if it was, I would not be able to do my job.” Former head of sales.
With the company now declared bankrupt, some hope this case will discourage other pharmaceutical companies from chasing profits at the expense of patients.
“When executives go to jail, that sends out a pretty serious message to the wider business and financial community. And certainly with the Insys story, that message will be pretty clear-cut to the rest of the pharmaceutical world.” Finance editor.
It is replayed on Tuesday 8th September at 10.00am and Wednesday 9th at 11.20pm. It can also be seen on ABC NEWS channel on Saturday at 8.10pm AEST, ABC iview and at abc.net.au/4corners.
