The Sackler family, founders of Purdue Pharma, are no strangers to controversy when it comes to their role in the opioid crisis. Recently, new information has come to light regarding their donations to policy advisers, raising concerns about conflicts of interest in the development of opioid policy.

According to a report by the American Oversight, a government watchdog group, the Sacklers donated millions of dollars to prominent policy advisers and medical societies involved in the development of opioid policy. These donations spanned over a period of two decades, starting in the mid-1990s.

The report reveals that the Sacklers made donations to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), among others. They also donated to influential medical societies such as the American Pain Society and the American Academy of Pain Medicine.

These donations raise questions about the influence the Sacklers had over opioid policy development. The Sacklers’ company, Purdue Pharma, is responsible for the creation and aggressive marketing of the highly addictive opioid painkiller, OxyContin. The drug has been linked to tens of thousands of overdose deaths in the United States.

Critics argue that the Sacklers used their wealth and influence to shape opioid policy in a way that would benefit their business interests. The American Oversight report notes that the Sacklers’ donations coincided with significant shifts in opioid policy, including changes in prescribing guidelines and the approval of new opioid drugs.

In response to the report, the Sackler family and their representatives have defended their donations as philanthropic in nature, aimed at supporting medical research and education. They also pointed out that the donations were made by individual members of the family, not Purdue Pharma.

However, the timing of the donations and the Sacklers’ deep ties to the opioid industry raise questions about their true intentions. Critics argue that the Sacklers’ donations were a way to influence opioid policy and protect their business interests.

The Sacklers’ role in the opioid crisis has been the subject of numerous lawsuits and investigations. In 2020, Purdue Pharma pleaded guilty to criminal charges related to its marketing of OxyContin and agreed to pay $8.3 billion in settlements.

The American Oversight report adds another layer to the controversy surrounding the Sacklers and their role in the opioid crisis. It highlights the need for greater transparency in the development of opioid policy and raises concerns about conflicts of interest.

As the opioid crisis continues to devastate communities across the United States, it is essential that policymakers prioritize the needs of patients and public health over the interests of the pharmaceutical industry. The Sacklers’ donations to policy advisers serve as a stark reminder of the dangers of allowing industry influence to shape public policy.