Pain Killer: A "wonder" Drug's Trail of Addiction and Death

by Barry Meier

Book Overview

A Pulitzer Prize-winning New York Times reporter exposes the roots of the opioid epidemic at the hands of Purdue Pharma and Raymond and Mortimer Sackler in Pain Killer, a "timely, compelling,... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1579546382
• ISBN13: 9781579546380
• Release Date: October 2003
• Publisher: Rodale Books
• Length: 336 Pages
• Weight: 1.30 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 6.4" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

excellent

This is one of the best books I have read on the topic of iatrogenic (doctor-caused) opioid addiction. It details how a drug that has been a wonderful addition to the appropriate treatment of pain was mis-marketed and overprescribed, putting thousands at risk for serious and life threatening addiction.

Powerful Book

"Pain Killer" is a great read. It follows the downfall of a beautiful, affluent cheerleader who becomes totally consumed by OxyContin. Yet it's also an investigative book that shows how the company turns a blind eye to the devestating abuse. And it shows what's going on behind closed doors at the government agencies in charge. The book has it all: a muckraking probe as well as moving stories from doctors and counselors trying to do something about the drug that is ravaging their community. At the same time, I came away convinced of the importance of a drug like OxyContin--if it is properly controlled--for patients suffering from horrible chronic pain.

Serious study of a serious problem

A sad saga of how a well-intentioned medical breakthrough went badly awry. A great piece of investigative journalism.

David vs Goliath

A true book about a courageous man who tried to save lives by attempting to get a corporate giant to put people before money. A behind the scenes look at how money and quest for profits at all costs led to a drug epidemic that is still very much a problem today.

I couldn't put it down

This is a heartbreaking story about the promise of a wonder drug gone horribly wrong -- the promise of OxyContin for sufferers of chronic pain vs. the tendency of addicts to find the next big high. Meier has done an admirable job of reporting all the angles, and the human suffering behind the headlines. Pain is such a big issue in health care right now, but he manages to put a movingly human face to this enormous problem. It's a terrific read.