Xanax, Klonopin, Valium, Ativan — all belong to a class of drugs known as benzodiazepines aka benzos. Commonly prescribed as treatments beyond their approved uses, news and entertainment media portray them in terms of either addiction and abuse or as innocuous medications that help relax nerves. As Prescribed documents a strikingly different narrative, following eye-opening stories amidst a mis-prescription epidemic resulting in illness and injury for countless patients.
After enduring her own personal struggle with overwhelming side-effects, dismissive medical professionals, and tapering off Klonopin, Filmmaker and Massachusetts resident Holly Hardman was compelled to join and document the community working to raise awareness of benzodiazepine injury. She soon came across Boston-based survivor Geraldine Burns, who leads a grassroots army of "good patients" that helps other victims and is advocating for state-wide informed-consent legislation to address the over-prescription of these drugs. But Geraldine and her allies meet strong resistance from powerful forces, including pharmaceutical giants as well as a medical culture that has denied the problem for decades.
As Prescribed chronicles these efforts and documents those who struggle every day to put benzodiazepine use before them once and for all. Featuring intimate segments with people in the midst of struggle, as well as stories of success of wellness, the film is a rallying cry for patient-centered care.
"Provides a service in alerting people to the benzo problem and is recommended for colleges and public libraries." — Educational Media Reviews Online
"Delves into a riveting narrative surrounding benzodiazepines" — Video Librarian
"As Prescribed is a powerful portrayal of the reality of benzo misprescription – a global issue that is all too often poorly understood by health professionals and legislators. Extensively researched and sensitively filmed, it is also a celebration of individual and collective determination, courage and vision; it’s a truly educational and inspiring watch.” — Gerri McHugh MA MSc MBA, Founder and Director, Global Health Film
"Holly Hardman's film on the damage wreaked by benzodiazepines offers a poignant insight into a devastating social crisis." — Raul Niño Zambrano, Creative Director, Sheffield DocFest
"Through emotional interviews, Hardman shows the massive impact benzos have had on these individuals' physical, social, and financial health... As Prescribed shines a light on a lesser-known drug epidemic, putting the personal stories of survivors in the context of our broken health care system." — Judith Garber, Senior Policy Analyst, Lown Institute
"We are proud to have screened AS PRESCRIBED in the GlobeDocs Film Festival and to help shed light on the immense struggles of those adversely impacted by prescription benzodiazepines. This film deserves to be widely seen in order to facilitate much needed change around informed consent." — Lisa Viola, Director of Programming, GlobeDocs Film Festival
"Holly Hardman has achieved an affecting piece of work that shows a wrong that needs righting... Groundbreaking. This film sheds a completely new light on the way these illness-inducing drugs are prescribed. The film makes clear that there is a crucial need for change in the culture of prescribing, and soon." — Claire Violet Hanley, artist and benzodiazepine survivor
"As Prescribed is an eye-opening, stirring and necessary story of injustice and resilience...Superb...This sort of David vs Goliath story is gut-wrenching and shocking." — Film Fest Report
"AS PRESCRIBED is an important film that sheds light on the serious dangers of benzodiazepines... Through the sharing of heartbreaking personal accounts, this compelling film challenges accepted notions of addiction, offering a deeper understanding of medication risks and serving as a bristling call to action for change." — Mira Simon, Center for Independent Documentary
"As Prescribed helps foster a topical discussion on over-medication and general wellness. As Prescribed is a powerful and compelling documentary that we highly recommend!" — Melbourne Documentary Film Festival
