The Sackler family, owners of Purdue Pharma, have long been at the center of controversy over their role in the opioid epidemic. A recent report by watchdog group American Oversight has shed light on a new aspect of this controversy: the extent to which the Sacklers used their vast wealth to influence opioid policy.
According to the report, the Sacklers donated millions of dollars to policy advisers and organizations involved in shaping opioid policy between 2008 and 2017. This money went to groups like the Pain Care Forum, which advocated for the widespread use of prescription opioids, as well as to political action committees and campaigns for lawmakers who supported policies that were favorable to Purdue Pharma.
The report raises serious concerns about conflicts of interest and the corrupting influence of money in politics. The Sacklers’ donations helped shape opioid policy in their favor, even as Purdue Pharma was facing mounting legal action for its role in the epidemic.
The Sacklers’ donations to policy advisers also highlight the potential harm caused by the influence of wealthy donors on the policymaking process. By funding organizations and individuals who supported policies that were favorable to Purdue Pharma, the Sacklers may have hindered efforts to hold the company accountable for its role in the epidemic and to implement policies that could have mitigated the harm caused by prescription opioids.
It is important to note that the Sacklers and Purdue Pharma have already faced significant legal action related to the opioid epidemic. The company has agreed to pay billions of dollars in damages, and the Sacklers themselves have faced condemnation from lawmakers and public health experts. However, this new report underscores the extent to which the Sacklers’ wealth and influence allowed them to shape the narrative around the epidemic and its causes.
The Sacklers’ donations to policy advisers are just one example of the ways in which wealthy donors can influence the policymaking process. As American Oversight notes in its report, the current system allows wealthy donors to exert undue influence over policy decisions, often to the detriment of public health and safety.
To address this issue, there is a need for greater transparency and accountability in the policymaking process. Policymakers and watchdog organizations should work to ensure that the voices of ordinary citizens are heard and that the policymaking process is not dominated by the interests of the wealthy and influential.
The Sacklers’ donations to opioid policy advisers serve as a reminder of the need for ongoing scrutiny and vigilance in the fight against the opioid epidemic. It is crucial that we continue to hold Purdue Pharma and its owners accountable for their role in the crisis, and that we work to prevent similar crises from occurring in the future.
Overall, the Sacklers’ donations to policy advisers are a troubling reminder of the ways in which money and influence can corrupt the policymaking process. It is up to all of us to ensure that the policymaking process remains transparent and accountable, and that the voices of ordinary citizens are not drowned out by the interests of the wealthy and influential.
