Introduction
It is difficult to determine precisely the degree to which makers and abusers of OxyContin are responsible for the opioid epidemic. Nevertheless, it should be stated that the producers of the drug bear the liability for the worsening of the situation in the country since their actions have resulted in increased opioid abuse among US citizens. The purpose of this paper is to provide arguments to prove this position.
Discussion
Even though taking some drugs, as well as their abuse, is an independent decision of a person, in the case of OxyContin, opioid abuse is the consequence of the manufacturer’s activities. The producer has influenced the way the substance was perceived by the scientific community and society in general (Meier, 2019). Before this drug was introduced, doctors would prescribe natural and synthetic opioids to patients with oncology to alleviate pain or as part of palliative care.
When Purdue Pharma decided to launch a new product, their goal was to change the opinion of doctors about opiates and reduce their fear of the addictive potential of this substance (Meier, 2019). To achieve this aim, the organization sponsored research and bribed doctors to create the necessary impression in society about the effects and side effects of the drug.
It is possible to state that the marketing strategy was aimed at doctors who would convey unreliable information to their patients, which lead to the popularization of OxyContin (Meier, 2019). Moreover, the company was able to convince specialists to prescribe this drug to individuals suffering from less acute long-term pain and as a means to alleviate a large spectrum of symptoms. This has expanded the potential audience for using this drug.
Conclusion
Thus, it can be concluded that aggressive marketing led to a distorted understanding of the effects of taking the drug. In its turn, the mass prescription of OxyContin led to its abuse. Despite the fact that drug addiction is often a consequence of a person’s life choices, in the case of OxyContin, the marketing strategy conducted by the makers has aggravated the situation with opioid abuse greatly.
Reference
Meier, B. (2019). Sacklers directed efforts to mislead public about OxyContin, court filing claims. The New York Times. Web.