Mini-Series
“The Pharmacist”
This gripping four-part Netflix docuseries from 2020 unfolds a compelling modern-day David vs. Goliath narrative. It chronicles a determined small-town Louisiana pharmacist who, driven by personal tragedy, takes extraordinary steps to find his son’s killer. His journey doesn’t end there; he goes on to expose and dismantle a corrupt New Orleans pill mill doctor, and eventually, he confronts the monumental pharmaceutical giant, Purdue Pharma, the notorious manufacturer of OxyContin.
Dan Schneider, the pharmacist at the heart of this story, is an unforgettable and unconventional hero. Following the devastating murder of his 22-year-old son, Danny Jr., in 1999 during a drug purchase, Schneider becomes obsessively dedicated to solving the cold case after police efforts prove fruitless. Through his relentless, solitary investigation, he spearheads the efforts that ultimately lead to his son’s killer being brought to justice in 2000. Shortly after, in late 2000, Schneider begins noticing a disturbing pattern: a dramatic increase in young people arriving at his pharmacy with OxyContin prescriptions, prompting him to connect alarming new dots.
Schneider’s diligent record-keeping of his investigative work, including a trove of recorded conversations, lends immense weight to this series. It offers a vital, intimate perspective on the nascent stages of the American opioid crisis, revealing how a powerful corporation knowingly prioritized profits over countless human lives.
Podcast
“Dr. Death” Season 2: “Dr. Fata”
Following the tremendous success of its first season, which delved into the horrifying case of Christopher Duntsch, the acclaimed Wondery podcast “Dr. Death” continues its exploration of medical malpractice. Season 2, “Dr. Fata,” investigates the shocking crimes of Farid Fata, a Michigan hematologist and oncologist responsible for one of the most sophisticated and lethal healthcare frauds ever seen in American history.
Over four riveting episodes, hosted by veteran science journalist Laura Beil, listeners hear direct accounts from Fata’s victims, their grieving families, and former colleagues. They recount the chilling ways Fata deceived and exploited hundreds, possibly thousands, of patients. Many of these innocent individuals tragically lost their lives due to his criminal actions. The narrative becomes even more unsettling with revelations that state authorities ignored repeated, specific warnings about Fata’s misconduct, allowing his reign of terror to continue.
Mini-Series
“Cold Case: The Tylenol Murders”
Ever paused to consider why your over-the-counter medication bottles feature tamper-proof seals? This vital safety measure was implemented in the wake of a horrifying incident in Chicago in 1982, where seven individuals tragically died within a short period after consuming Tylenol capsules covertly laced with cyanide. This catastrophic event sparked a national panic, led to a surge of copycat crimes, initiated extensive investigations at both local and federal levels, and resulted in what was then the largest drug recall in history.
This winding, almost unbelievable story, is brought to light in Netflix’s latest installment of its “Cold Case” franchise. Across three captivating episodes, viewers delve into the myriad pieces of evidence, explore various theories surrounding the case, and hear poignant testimonies from the loved ones of the victims, alongside insights from the dedicated law enforcement officials who relentlessly pursued justice.
One of the most unsettling segments features a deep dive into an interview with James W. Lewis, conducted shortly before his death in 2023. Lewis, a prime suspect for decades, notoriously attempted to extort $1 million from Johnson & Johnson, the manufacturers of Tylenol, immediately after the Chicago fatalities.
However, the series ultimately directs its most pointed questions towards Johnson & Johnson itself, scrutinizing the level – or distinct lack – of examination the pharmaceutical giant faced in the aftermath of these devastating events.
Documentary Film
“Capturing the Killer Nurse”
This harrowing 2022 Netflix documentary delves into the shocking true story of Charles Cullen, a serial killer responsible for the murders of dozens, and suspected of hundreds more, between 1988 and 2003. Cullen carried out his heinous acts while employed as a nurse across multiple hospitals and one nursing home in both New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
Helmed by director Tim Travers Hawkins, the film draws heavily from Charles Graeber’s book, “The Good Nurse: A True Story of Medicine, Madness, and Murder.” This very book also served as the inspiration for the critically acclaimed 2022 Golden Globe-nominated medical thriller “The Good Nurse,” which featured Eddie Redmayne in the role of Cullen.
The documentary features a wealth of interviews, including chilling segments with Cullen himself, author Charles Graeber, family members of his victims, investigative journalists, and nurses who once worked alongside Cullen. Among them is Amy Loughren, a former friend who courageously assisted detectives in gathering the crucial evidence that ultimately led to his arrest.
Disturbingly, throughout Cullen’s career, hospital administrators and staff harbored suspicions that he was harming patients. Yet, he repeatedly managed to evade capture, partly due to institutional cover-ups and inherent flaws within the for-profit healthcare system.
His egregious crimes ultimately spurred New Jersey to pass the Health Care Professional Responsibility and Reporting Enhancement Act in 2005. This landmark legislation, often referred to as the “Cullen” law, mandates that all healthcare entities and professionals actively report any concerns regarding incompetence, impairment, or professional misconduct that could endanger patient well-being.