Patrick Radden Keefe on ‘Empire of Pain’

New York Times Podcasts・2 minutes read

The Sackler family's ties to the opioid crisis are detailed in "Empire of Pain," revealing Purdue Pharma's role in marketing OxyContin amid addiction concerns. Despite attempts to distance themselves, the Sacklers face criticism and lawsuits, raising questions about accountability and responsibility for the devastating impact of the drug.

Insights

The Sackler family, known for philanthropy, amassed their wealth through Purdue Pharma, the producer of OxyContin, which was marketed as a non-addictive painkiller despite evidence of its addictive nature, leading to the devastating opioid crisis.
Purdue Pharma and the Sackler family faced internal dissent and early warnings about OxyContin's abuse potential, yet chose to deny the drug's negative impact, blaming drug abusers instead. This response, along with their aggressive tactics against critics, led to legal repercussions, bankrupting Purdue Pharma and raising questions of accountability for the Sacklers.

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Recent questions

What is the focus of "Empire of Pain"?
Sackler family's connection to opioid crisis
What was Purdue Pharma's response to OxyContin's issues?
Denied problems, blamed drug abusers
How did the Sackler family handle criticism?
Responded aggressively with legal threats
What financial challenges did the Sacklers face?
Withdrew $10 billion from Purdue
How did the author benefit from the pandemic?
Allowed focused writing time at home

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Summary

00:00

Sackler Family: Empire of Pain and Opioids

Patrick Ren Keefe discusses his book "Empire of Pain" about the Sackler family and their connection to the opioid crisis.
The Sackler family was known for philanthropy but their wealth came from Purdue Pharma, the producer of OxyContin.
Institutions like the Metropolitan Museum are reconsidering the Sackler name due to the opioid crisis connection.
Arthur Sackler, a doctor and businessman, was instrumental in the family's success through medical advertising.
OxyContin, developed by Purdue Pharma, had a unique time-release coating that made it successful in the market.
OxyContin was marketed as a drug for moderate pain, expanding its reach beyond severe pain like its predecessor.
Purdue Pharma downplayed the addictive nature of OxyContin in their marketing to physicians.
The opioid crisis, stemming from the launch of OxyContin, has had devastating public health consequences.
Members of the Sackler family were actively involved in managing Purdue Pharma, contradicting claims of distance from the company's operations.
The critical moment of assigning blame lies in the family's response to indications of OxyContin's negative impact after its release.

14:02

Purdue Pharma's Opioid Crisis and Fallout

Senior leadership at the company became aware of the abuse, addiction, overdosing, and deaths related to the drug.
Instead of addressing the issue, the company and family denied any problems with the drug, blaming drug abusers.
Purdue and the Sacklers claimed they only realized the drug's implications in early 2000, contradicting internal documents from 1997.
Sales reps and executives raised concerns about drug abuse as early as 1997, contradicting the company's claims.
Sales reps, including a doctor-prescribing "whale," discovered the problem through patient overdoses and increasing demand for the drug.
Despite family divisions, no internal whistleblowers or dissenters within the Sackler family have emerged.
The Sacklers responded aggressively to the book's publication, with legal threats and private investigators involved.
Purdue Pharma faces around 2500 lawsuits, with almost every state suing over the opioid crisis, leading to the company's bankruptcy.
The Sacklers withdrew $10 billion from Purdue over a decade, leading to financial and legal challenges.
Purdue Pharma pled guilty to fraud, offering a $4.5 billion contribution, while the family faces questions about accountability.

27:40

Unexpected Benefits of Cancelled Plans: Writing Success

2020 was a year filled with canceled plans due to the pandemic, leading to unexpected benefits for the author in terms of writing a book.
The author found solace in having all plans canceled, allowing for a focused writing period at home.
The author describes the experience as akin to "house arrest for writers," enabling undisturbed writing time.
The author expresses relief at the completion of the book and hints at taking a break.
Patrick Radden Keefe is mentioned as having three different works available for consumption: "Say Nothing," "Winds of Change" podcast, and "Empire of Pain."
Tina Jordan discusses the historical context of bylines in book reviews, noting the transition from unsigned to signed reviews.
A review of George Bernard Shaw's plays is highlighted as an example of harsh criticism without a byline.
Elizabeth Egan introduces "What Comes After" by Joanne Tompkins, describing it as an atmospheric thriller set in a small town in the Pacific Northwest.
The novel follows the aftermath of a tragedy involving two teenage boys, a pregnant 16-year-old, and the community's response.
Egan compares "What Comes After" to other novels like "My Absolute Darling" by Gabriel Tallent and "We Need to Talk About Kevin" by Lionel Shriver, emphasizing thematic connections.

43:56

Exploring Polly Flint's Life Through "Robinson"

The book "Robinson" was discussed on a podcast, focusing on its cultural study of British culture and the influence of "Robinson Crusoe."
The novel is about a six-year-old girl named Polly Flint, orphaned after her parents' deaths, living with her two aunts on the northern coast of England.
Polly's aunts are religious, while Polly herself has a stubborn disbelief and a deep love for "Robinson Crusoe," reading it obsessively throughout her life.
The novel spans Polly's life from childhood to her 40s, detailing her relationships, including falling in love and experiencing historical events like World War I and II.
Written in the first person, the novel has an old-fashioned sweep, capturing Polly's life against a backdrop of isolation and history.
The author, Jane Gardam, seamlessly tells the story from Polly's perspective at different ages, creating a compelling narrative.
The book "Foe" by J.M. Coetzee, inspired by "Robinson Crusoe," was also mentioned, along with other related works, leaving the reader with a list of books to explore.
"The Secret Lives of Church Ladies" by Deesha Philyaw is a collection of stories about black women challenging societal expectations, with one story focusing on a daughter's experience of betrayal and desire.
The story "Peach Cobbler" from the collection delves into themes of hunger, desire, and betrayal, showcasing the power of Philyaw's storytelling and the emotional impact of the narrative.
"True Grit" by Charles Portis is a novel about a 14-year-old girl seeking revenge for her father's death in the 1870s Arkansas, praised for its capturing of the protagonist's voice and perspective.

57:09

"Clara and the Sun" explores artificial emotions.

"Clara and the Sun" by Kazo Ishiguro is discussed, focusing on the unique perspective of an artificial friend named Clara, designed to keep children company in the future.
Clara's exceptional abilities and insights are highlighted, contrasting her artificial emotions with the imperfections of natural human emotions.
The book is praised for its old-fashioned storytelling and its exploration of loneliness, human interaction, and emotions through Clara's eyes.
Ishiguro's mastery is noted in creating Clara's perspective with simple language, adhering to the rules he sets for her character while allowing for subtle character development.

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