One-line summary: “Empire of Pain: The Secret History of the Sackler Dynasty” is a gripping and revealing account of the rise and fall of the Sackler family, the makers of OxyContin, and their role in fueling the opioid crisis.

The Rise of the Sackler Dynasty

In “Empire of Pain: The Secret History of the Sackler Dynasty,” author Patrick Radden Keefe takes readers on a deep dive into the controversial history of the Sackler family. The book begins by tracing the family’s humble beginnings as Jewish immigrants in the early 20th century, and their rise to immense wealth and power as the owners of Purdue Pharma, the company responsible for creating and marketing the highly addictive painkiller, OxyContin.

The Sackler brothers, Arthur, Mortimer, and Raymond, were savvy businessmen who recognized the potential of the pharmaceutical industry. They built their empire by aggressively marketing their products, including Valium and OxyContin, and cultivating relationships with doctors, hospitals, and medical institutions. Their relentless pursuit of profit led to the widespread prescription and misuse of OxyContin, ultimately contributing to the devastating opioid crisis that has claimed hundreds of thousands of lives in the United States.

The Opioid Crisis Unveiled

Keefe meticulously uncovers the deceptive marketing tactics employed by Purdue Pharma to promote OxyContin. The Sacklers, through their company, downplayed the drug’s addictive properties, falsely claiming that it was less likely to cause addiction compared to other opioids. They aggressively targeted doctors, incentivizing them to prescribe OxyContin through lavish gifts, all-expenses-paid trips, and speaking fees. This aggressive marketing strategy helped fuel the opioid crisis, as more and more people became addicted to the drug.

The author also sheds light on the complicity of regulatory bodies, such as the FDA, in allowing Purdue Pharma to continue its deceptive practices. Despite mounting evidence of OxyContin’s addictive nature and the harm it was causing, the Sacklers were able to evade accountability for years, thanks to their vast wealth and influence.

The Fall from Grace

As public awareness of the opioid crisis grew, the Sackler family’s reputation began to crumble. The book explores the legal battles and investigations that exposed the extent of Purdue Pharma’s wrongdoing. It delves into the family’s efforts to shield their wealth, including transferring billions of dollars to offshore accounts and declaring bankruptcy to avoid paying settlements to the victims of the opioid crisis.

Keefe also examines the impact of the opioid crisis on communities across America, highlighting the stories of individuals and families who have been devastated by addiction and loss. Through these personal narratives, he humanizes the tragic consequences of the Sackler family’s actions.

• The Sackler family’s ruthless pursuit of profit contributed to the opioid crisis in the United States.
• Purdue Pharma engaged in deceptive marketing tactics to promote OxyContin, downplaying its addictive properties.
• The complicity of regulatory bodies allowed Purdue Pharma to evade accountability for years.
• The Sackler family’s reputation has been tarnished, leading to legal battles and investigations.
• The opioid crisis has had a devastating impact on communities and individuals across America.

“The Sacklers were not just any old rich family. They were one of America’s richest families, and they had made their money in a particularly controversial way: by pushing a highly addictive drug on the American public, and then lying about what they had done.”

In “Empire of Pain: The Secret History of the Sackler Dynasty,” Patrick Radden Keefe masterfully exposes the dark underbelly of the Sackler family’s empire. Through meticulous research and compelling storytelling, he reveals the devastating consequences of their actions and the urgent need for accountability in the face of the opioid crisis. This book serves as a powerful reminder of the dangers of unchecked corporate greed and the importance of prioritizing public health over profit.