Pharma is based on the incredible true story of Dr. Frances "Frankie" Kelsey and her fight to keep a dangerous drug from being approved for the US market. Risking her career and family along the way, Frankie wages war against big Pharma in 1960, resisting intense pressure and threats from inside the FDA to expose the biggest unmonitored drug trial in US history.
Dr. Kelsey’s heroic efforts are an example of what one person can do to prevent disaster and change the course of history.
Frankie’s story will inspire audiences for years to come and shine a light on the overlooked tragedy that has impacted tens of thousands of people around the world. Her battle was one of David and Goliath proportions: One woman taking on the billion-dollar pharmaceutical industry to expose corruption and prevent a national tragedy.
MORE THAN A MOVIE.
Though Dr. Kelsey’s efforts prevented a US disaster, many around the world suffered and the ramifications of this historical event still linger today. Known widely as the largest manmade medical disaster in history, it's estimated that over 10,000 babies were affected by the drug, thalidomide. Helmed a "miracle drug" and given to pregnant women as a treatment for morning sickness, the pills caused severe birth defects. To date, survivors of thalidomide have not received full restitution. We hope to encourage survivors, by showing them that their story has not gone unnoticed, and impact audiences to take action in the face of injustice. Pharma aims to shine a light on this hidden history and lend a platform to survivors of the tragedy. Hear from some of the survivors and why they believe this movie needs to be made.
Pharma is an important and critically relevant story for this moment in history. As we emerge from a global pandemic and new information comes to light each day, Frankie’s story highlights the risk of placing trust in huge corporations and government entities without proper oversight.
In addition to an award winning feature length script, the proof of concept and short film, Pharma, has received 12 official selections, multiple nominations, and 6 category wins. The caliber of the project produced on a micro- budget exhibits the skill and indie grit that the team brings to the table.
Producer, Ashley Bratcher, is an award winning actress and the star of the box office hit Unplanned. Unplanned premiered at number 4 its opening weekend in the box office among major Studio competition including Captain Marvel, Us, and Dumbo. According to Box Office Mojo, the film took in an estimated $6,110,000 at the end of the weekend, with a cumulative per-screen average of $5,770 on just 1,059. To date, it has grossed over $21 million dollars off of a modest $6 million dollar budget.
The team's resumes boast Academy Award winning titles including The Theory of Everything, Darkest Hour, Ray, The Patriot, The Blind Side and more... generating hundreds of millions of dollars in the box office.
Over $1.5 million has been raised to date for the production of the feature film. While the crowdfund is closed, accredited investors may inquire about our reg-d offering. If you decide to invest, you’ll be raising awareness that this story should be seen on screens around the world.
Though investing in movies is incredibly risky, and a return on investment can never be guaranteed, we feel that the profitability of biopics has remained consistent over the years. Films such as Hidden Figures, Erin Brockovich and The Imitation Game have realized enormous profits at the box office. These kinds of movies often become classics, proving the test of time, and creating more downstream revenue for years to come.
*Success in other projects does not guarantee success in Pharma. There can be no assurance that the projected results will be obtained, and actual results may vary significantly from the projections.
Pharma is a story of investigative action, emotional drama, high stakes, and courage. This is your chance to be a part of movie history, creating a legacy with a movie that explores history while entertaining, engaging, and inspiring its audience.
