Podcast Summary
The Sackler family's company fueled the opioid epidemic by developing and marketing OxyContin: The Sackler family's company, Purdue Pharma, contributed to the opioid epidemic by developing and marketing OxyContin, a highly addictive painkiller with a long-acting formula.
The Sackler family's company, Purdue Pharma, fueled the opioid epidemic in the US by developing and marketing OxyContin, a powerful painkiller with a long-acting content delivery system. This system, which was first used in the drug MS Contin (a new form of morphine), allowed the drug to provide pain relief for up to 12 hours, unlike previous painkillers with a 4-5 hour half-life. However, when the patent for MS Contin was set to expire, Purdue Pharma reformulated the drug using oxycodone instead of morphine and launched OxyContin in 1995. Initially marketed as a new and improved version of MS Contin for terminally ill cancer patients, OxyContin's long-acting formula made it highly addictive, leading to widespread abuse and contributing to the opioid epidemic. Despite facing over a thousand lawsuits from cities and states for deceptive marketing, the Sackler family members themselves are now being targeted in a new case.
Purdue Pharma's Deceptive Marketing of OxyContin: Despite paying a $600 million fine for misbranding OxyContin, Purdue Pharma continued to aggressively market the drug, contributing to the opioid crisis. Emphasizing its 12-hour dosage and lower addiction risk, they downplayed its high concentration of oxycodone, leading to widespread use for common ailments and addiction.
Purdue Pharma's marketing strategy for OxyContin, a powerful opioid painkiller, significantly contributed to the opioid crisis in the US. The FDA label expansion allowed marketing to all pain sufferers, leading to widespread use for common ailments. Purdue Pharma emphasized the pill's 12-hour dosage and lower addiction risk, but it contained a high concentration of oxycodone, leading to both legitimate patients and drug abusers getting high doses. In 2007, the company paid a $600 million fine for misbranding and misleading doctors and patients. Post-settlement, they regrouped, hired more salespeople, and sales peaked at $3 billion yearly. However, they stopped claiming the drug was safer and focused on marketing for chronic pain. The first legal issues emerged around 2000, with the Department of Justice investigating Purdue Pharma's claims about the drug's safety.
Purdue Pharma's Aggressive Marketing Tactics Contributed to Opioid Crisis: Purdue Pharma grew opioid market through bonuses, vacations, implying safety, funded research, and coined 'pain as fifth vital sign' despite settling with DOJ over marketing practices.
Purdue Pharma, despite settling a case with the Department of Justice (DOJ) over marketing practices related to their opioid drug OxyContin, continued to grow the opioid market through various tactics. They paid market-leading bonuses to salespeople, sent them on expensive vacations, and implied to doctors that their drug was safer without explicitly stating it. They also funded research and coined the term "pain as the fifth vital sign" to make it seem like an unmet medical need. Although Purdue had a small share of prescriptions, they were the largest marketing force, and the formation of Rhodes Pharma, a big producer of generic opioids, undermined Purdue's argument that they were a minor player in the market. This aggressive promotion of opioids by Purdue is believed to have contributed significantly to the opioid crisis.
Uncovering Purdue Pharma's Hidden Connections: Thorough investigation revealed Purdue Pharma's significant influence in the industry through its intricate connections with Rhodes Pharma and key executives' multiple roles.
Purdue Pharma, despite being smaller than some other pharmaceutical companies often mentioned in litigation, holds significant power in the industry. This was revealed through the discovery of a connection between Purdue and Rhodes Pharma, which was uncovered by following a trail of seemingly obscure details, such as the involvement of Purdue's executive vice president and lawyer, Stuart Baker. Baker's role extended beyond his law firm, as he also held positions on the boards of Purdue's affiliated companies and owned property with the Sackler family. This intricate web of connections highlights the importance of thorough investigation and the potential lack of transparency in private companies' dealings.
Focus on Sackler family in lawsuits against Purdue Pharma: Lawsuits against Purdue Pharma targeting the Sackler family aim to pressure them as a financial resource for potential settlements, despite their departure from executive roles. The FDA's approval of OxyContin is emphasized by Purdue's defense, but concerns remain about their financial ability to settle due to declining sales and legal bills.
The ongoing lawsuits against Purdue Pharma, which number over a thousand, could potentially succeed if prosecutors can prove that the Sackler family was running the company despite their departure from executive roles. The recent focus on individual Sackler defendants, such as in the Massachusetts attorney general's lawsuit, is an attempt to put pressure on the family as a source of financial resources for potential settlements. Purdue's defense has shifted to emphasizing that OxyContin is still approved by the US Food and Drug Administration, and the FDA's judgment holds more weight than that of individual litigators. However, concerns remain about Purdue's financial ability to settle due to declining sales and mounting legal bills. The Sackler family has not responded to recent requests for comment.
Sackler family granted patent for faster-acting opioid addiction treatment: The Sackler family, under scrutiny for their role in the opioid crisis, were awarded a patent for a faster-acting form of buprenorphine through Rhodes Pharma. Motives behind this move are unclear, potentially for recompense or business diversification.
The Sackler family, who own Purdue Pharma, are facing intense scrutiny and legal action over their role in the opioid crisis. In an effort to potentially mitigate their financial penalties, they have been awarded a patent for a faster-acting form of buprenorphine, a drug used to wean addicts off opioids. This patent was granted through Rhodes Pharma, not Purdue Pharma. Some speculate that the Sacklers may use this patent as a form of recompense or to lower their legal settlements. Whether this is a philanthropic move or a business diversification strategy remains unclear. The opioid crisis, caused by the over-prescription and addiction to opioid painkillers, has resulted in countless deaths and lawsuits against pharmaceutical companies. The Sacklers' patent for a more effective form of buprenorphine could potentially be used to help addicts recover, but the motives behind it are subject to interpretation. The full story can be explored further at ft.com.
