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Overview
The Sackler family owned Purdue Pharma, the manufacturer of OxyContin, and profited billions of dollars from the opioid crisis while suppressing evidence of the drug's addictiveness. Multiple family members; including Richard Sackler, Mortimer Sackler, and Kathe Sackler; directed aggressive marketing strategies that fueled an epidemic killing hundreds of thousands of Americans. Despite their role in one of the deadliest drug crises in history, family members used bankruptcy proceedings to shield billions in personal wealth from lawsuits.
Key Affiliations
Controversies & Concerns
Profited over $10 billion from OxyContin sales while suppressing evidence of its addictiveness
Directed Purdue Pharma to aggressively market OxyContin to doctors, fueling the opioid epidemic
Purdue Pharma pleaded guilty to federal criminal charges related to opioid marketing (2007 and 2020)
Used bankruptcy proceedings to shield billions in personal wealth from opioid lawsuits
Withdrew billions from Purdue Pharma in anticipation of legal liability
OxyContin contributed to an epidemic that has killed over 500,000 Americans
Related Investigations (1)
Known Associates & Connections
Richard Sackler
Former President of Purdue Pharma, directed aggressive OxyContin marketing
Mortimer D.A. Sackler
Former Board Member of Purdue Pharma
Kathe Sackler
Former Board Member of Purdue Pharma
Sources & Documentation
1 documented sources from official records, investigations, and reports
Personal Information
- Also Known As
- Sacklers
Education
Key Timeline
1996
Purdue Pharma launched OxyContin with aggressive marketing campaign
2007
Purdue Pharma pleaded guilty to federal charges of misbranding OxyContin
2010s
Sackler family withdrew billions from Purdue Pharma as lawsuits mounted
2019
Purdue Pharma filed for bankruptcy amid thousands of lawsuits
2020
Purdue Pharma pleaded guilty to federal criminal charges a second time
2022
Sackler family agreed to pay up to $6 billion in exchange for legal immunity