Empire of Pain: The Secret History of the Sackler Dynasty

Patrick Radden Keefe's Empire of Pain exposes how the Sackler family built a pharmaceutical empire that fueled America's devastating opioid crisis. This meticulously researched book reveals the "secret history" behind one of the wealthiest families in America and their role in creating a public health disaster that has claimed over 500,000 lives.

The Sackler Dynasty Origins

Arthur Sackler pioneered aggressive pharmaceutical marketing in the 1960s with Valium
Revolutionized drug promotion by targeting doctors directly with misleading safety claims
Brothers Mortimer and Raymond joined to acquire Purdue Frederick (later Purdue Pharma)
Operated as a secretive, insular family empire prioritizing profit over accountability

OxyContin's Deceptive Marketing

Introduced in 1996 as a "revolutionary" time-release opioid painkiller
Falsely marketed as having low addiction risk based on minimal evidence
Aggressive sales tactics included lavish doctor incentives and misleading safety data
Transformed medical culture to normalize long-term opioid prescribing for chronic pain

Devastating Consequences

Created widespread addiction affecting entire communities, particularly in rural America
When faced with mounting evidence of harm, the Sacklers blamed victims rather than their product
Used wealth and legal maneuvering to avoid personal accountability while extracting billions

Legacy and Accountability

Extensive philanthropy served as "reputation laundering" until public backlash
Museums and institutions eventually removed the Sackler name amid protests
Family avoided criminal charges through corporate shields and controversial bankruptcy settlements

Empire of Pain serves as a powerful cautionary tale about unchecked corporate greed and the deadly consequences when profit is prioritized over public health.