The Untold Journey of Purdue's Curtis Wright: Unraveling the Real-Life Tale Behind his FDA Departure & Intriguing Destiny
Curtis Wright, previously with the FDA, made a pivotal move to join a private pharmaceutical company His involvement in legal battles against Purdue from 2003-2018 adds intrigue to Painkiller's narrative
Warning: The following article contains spoilers from Painkiller.
Summary
Dr. Curtis Wright played a crucial part in securing FDA approval for OxyContin in Netflix's Painkiller, disregarding concerns surrounding its hazardous adverse effects. Following his departure from the FDA, suspicions arose regarding Dr. Wright's association with Purdue Pharma and his potential involvement in the opioid crisis.
Dr. Wright faced multiple lawsuits and depositions due to the scandal, but he never faced charges for his involvement in the misleading marketing of OxyContin. Netflix's Painkiller draws inspiration from the true story of Purdue Pharma's role in the opioid crisis, specifically their production of OxyContin. This dramatic limited series delves into the drug's development, the extent to which the pharmaceutical company pursued FDA approval for the painkiller, and the repercussions Purdue Pharma faced once the addictive nature of OxyContin was exposed. Dr. Curtis Wright, portrayed by Noah Harpster, was a key figure in the FDA approval process for the drug and is one of the co-creators of Painkiller alongside Micah Fitzerman-Blue.
Curtis Wright Left The FDA In 1997 To Join Private Pharmaceutical Company (1 Year Before Purdue Hired Him)
Dr. Wright, Harpster's character in Painkiller episode 2, made his debut while Uzo Aduba's Edie Flowers explained the challenges Purdue Pharma faced during the FDA process for OxyContin. In this episode, it was revealed that Dr. Wright was the sole FDA official responsible for reviewing the company's research and documents related to the drug. He expressed concerns about the potential dangerous side effects of OxyContin. Consequently, Purdue Pharma and Richard Sackler, portrayed by Matthew Broderick, had to employ innovative methods to secure FDA approval in both Painkiller's fictional world and reality.
No one truly knows exactly how Purdue Pharma convinced Dr. Curtis Wright of the FDA to approve OxyContin, despite his initial concerns about the drug's hazards. The only known information is that Dr. Wright gave the green light for OxyContin's application by approving the controversial statement that "Delayed absorption, as provided by OxyContin tablets, is believed to reduce the potential for abuse of the drug." This approval led to the FDA granting its stamp of approval for OxyContin. Interestingly, Dr. Wright left the FDA a year later and briefly worked for Adolor Pharmaceuticals in 1997.
Dr. Wright received a significant amount of money from Purdue Pharma to serve as the executive director of medical research for the company in 1998, as reported by Women's Health. He remained with the pharmaceutical company until at least 2005, when he transitioned to Javelin Pharmaceuticals Inc. Notably, his actions gained suspicion in later years when Purdue Pharma faced criticism for producing a highly addictive painkiller. Dr. Wright's involvement in the scandal has become one of the most memorable aspects of this remarkable tale.
Painkiller's Curtis Wright Was Involved In Legal Cases From 2003-2018 Against Purdue
Purdue Pharma has faced numerous lawsuits over its creation of OxyContin and its involvement in the opioid crisis. Dr. Curtis Wright, who was frequently summoned to provide depositions, particularly in 2003 and 2018, often gave testimonies that contradicted evidence connected to the marketing of OxyContin. Despite being identified as a criminal conspirator in a 2006 review by the US Department of Justice, Dr. Wright was not charged for his role in the scandal, as reported by The Cinemaholic. Ultimately, Purdue Pharma paid substantial settlements for its contribution to the opioid crisis, leading the company to file for bankruptcy in 2019.
