The series “Dopesick” is based on the true story of how one company caused one of the worst drug epidemics in American history. Russell Portenoy, for example, is a character from the show who does exist in real life.

Who Is Russell Portenoy on Dopesick?

Russell Portenoy, a real-life character, was portrayed in the Netflix series Dopesick. Purdue Pharma, a pharmaceutical company, developed and aggressively marketed the drug OxyContin in 1995.

The drug was promoted with one of the most extensive pharmaceutical marketing campaigns, but it was later found to be addictive, resulting in the country’s worst opioid epidemic.

This is the same story as the Netflix drama miniseries. Russell was a Purdue apologist whose testament ushered in the drug’s use, which later turned into a pandemic.

 

After the drug was created, many doctors argued that it is addictive. However, Russell Portenoy, who is a pain specialist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center argued that it was a ‘medical myth’ and opioids can be used long-term with little side effects.

And the reason why he said that is because he was receiving funds from Purdue.

Explore Russell Portenoy Wikipedia

Russell Portenoy Wikipedia profile is not available on the Internet. However, the place where he works now has some information about his expertise.

He is the director of the MJHS Institute for Innovation in Palliative Care and Chief Medical Officer of MJHS Hospice and Palliative Care. He is also a professor of neurology at Albert Einstein College of Medicine.

He was founding Chairman of the Department of Pain Medicine and Palliative Care and the Gerald J. Friedman Chair in Pain Medicine and Palliative Care at Mount Sinai Beth Israel Medical Center before joining MJHS.

 

He also served as founding Chairman of the Department of Pain Medicine and Palliative Care and the Gerald J. Friedman Chair in Pain Medicine and Palliative Care at Mount Sinai Beth Israel Medical Center.

In 2019, he agreed to testify against Purdue and other drug-makers with whom he used to accept funds and advocate for them previously, according to CNBC. 

Richard Sackler and Russell Portenoy- How Do They Know Each Other?

Richard Slacker and Russell Portenoy were familiar with each other. The chairman and president of Purdue Pharma used to provide funds for Dr. Russell Portenoy, a pain specialist so that he would advocate for their drug named OxyContin.

The words from a specialist were believed by the people which later turned into a disaster as people started being addicted to the drug.

Recommended Articles:

• ACFM Talk: Film Market Bosses Agree The Need For Change
• Madisonrose Toro Height, Weight, Net Worth, Age, Birthday, Wikipedia, Who, Nationality, Biography
• No Time to Die Box Office Opening Lowest for James Bond Since Casino Royale
• The Best Scary Movies on Horror Channel for October