Institution Advising Opioid Policy Receives $19M Payment from Owners of OxyContin Maker
The National Academy of Medicine (NAM), an independent institution that provides advice on health policy, has received a $19 million payment from the Sackler family, owners of Purdue Pharma, the maker of OxyContin. The payment is part of a settlement agreement reached between Purdue Pharma and the U.S. Department of Justice over the company’s role in the opioid epidemic.
The NAM has been criticized for accepting the payment, with some arguing that it creates a conflict of interest and undermines the institution’s credibility. Others have defended the decision, saying that the money will be used to fund research and education on opioid addiction and treatment.
The opioid epidemic has been a major public health crisis in the United States, with millions of people addicted to prescription painkillers and heroin. OxyContin, a powerful painkiller made by Purdue Pharma, has been identified as a major contributor to the epidemic. The drug was marketed aggressively to doctors and patients as a safe and effective treatment for chronic pain, but it was later found to be highly addictive and prone to abuse.
Purdue Pharma has faced numerous lawsuits and investigations over its marketing practices, which allegedly downplayed the risks of addiction and encouraged doctors to prescribe the drug for long-term use. In 2019, the company filed for bankruptcy in order to settle thousands of lawsuits filed by states, cities, and individuals affected by the opioid epidemic.
As part of the settlement agreement with the Department of Justice, Purdue Pharma agreed to pay $225 million to fund research and education on opioid addiction and treatment. The money will be distributed over a period of 10 years to various institutions, including the NAM.
Critics of the NAM’s decision to accept the payment argue that it creates a conflict of interest, as the institution is supposed to provide independent advice on health policy. They say that the payment could influence the NAM’s recommendations on opioid policy, and that it undermines the institution’s credibility.
Others have defended the decision, saying that the money will be used to fund important research and education on opioid addiction and treatment. They argue that the NAM has a responsibility to use all available resources to address the opioid epidemic, and that the payment from Purdue Pharma is a step in the right direction.
The NAM has said that it will use the money to fund research and education on opioid addiction and treatment, and that it will ensure that its recommendations are based on sound science and independent analysis. The institution has also said that it will be transparent about its funding sources and will not allow any conflicts of interest to influence its work.
In conclusion, the $19 million payment from the Sackler family to the National Academy of Medicine has sparked controversy over whether it creates a conflict of interest. While some argue that it undermines the institution’s credibility, others defend the decision, saying that the money will be used to fund important research and education on opioid addiction and treatment. Ultimately, it will be up to the NAM to ensure that its recommendations are based on sound science and independent analysis, regardless of its funding sources.
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