John Kapoor, the billionaire founder of Insys, created a new way to administer potent opioid, fentanyl, in the 2000s. Despite its approval for breakthrough cancer pain, the company pushed for its off-label use to increase profits. Insys used unethical tactics, including lying about patients’ health conditions and seducing doctors with money and charm. The company went public with a successful IPO, but its tactics were eventually exposed by whistleblowers, leading to legal repercussions.

"Originally published as The Hard Sell."