Intelligence Squared Empire of Pain: Sacklers, Opioids and the Sickening of America
Oct 19, 2021
Patrick Radden Keefe, an award-winning writer and author of *Empire of Pain*, joins FT’s global pharmaceutical correspondent, Hannah Kuchler. They delve into the Sackler family’s dark legacy tied to the opioid crisis, unraveling their role in promoting OxyContin. Keefe shares insights from his investigative research, exposing corruption and the chilling impact on public health. The discussion spans the ethics of billionaire philanthropy, the Sackler’s influence on art and activism, and the erosion of trust in the healthcare system due to their actions.
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Arthur Sackler and Valium
- Arthur Sackler, a psychiatrist and ad-man, transformed pharmaceutical advertising.
- He made his fortune marketing Valium, a blockbuster drug that, similar to OxyContin, proved addictive.
Valium and OxyContin Parallels
- Both Valium and OxyContin were initially marketed for a niche purpose (psychosis and cancer pain).
- Drug companies later realized that a larger market existed for less severe conditions (stress and moderate pain).
Sackler Family Trait: Moral Blindness
- The Sackler family, despite internal conflicts, shared a trait of refusing to acknowledge evidence contradicting their theories.
- This blindness is evident in Richard Sackler's response to the opioid crisis, choosing to increase production despite rising overdose deaths.
