The opioid crisis isn’t just the Sacklers’ fault – and making Purdue Pharma pay isn’t enough on its own to fix the pharmaceutical industry’s deeper problems

Making them pay is important but it’s not going to stop drugmakers from endangering public health.

David Herzberg, Associate Professor of History, University at Buffalo • conversation
July 26, 2022 • ~11 min

Drugs that treat opioid use disorder are a good use for multibillion-dollar settlement funds

After battling drug manufacturers and distributors in court for years, local and state governments are about to receive a windfall that could expand access to treatments that can save lives.

Elizabeth Chiarello, Associate Professor of Sociology, Saint Louis University • conversation
March 25, 2022 • ~11 min

OxyContin created the opioid crisis, but stigma and prohibition have fueled it

False narratives about drug addiction and policies that are not supported by research are deepening the overdose epidemic in the US.

Emily B. Campbell, Visiting Assistant Professor of Sociology, College of the Holy Cross • conversation
Sept. 16, 2021 • ~11 min

How the Purdue opioid settlement could help the public understand the roots of the drug crisis

The multibillion-dollar settlement will trigger the release of troves of documents that may shine new light on what caused the opioid crisis.

Antoine Lentacker, Assistant Professor of History, University of California, Riverside • conversation
Sept. 1, 2021 • ~10 min

OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma may settle legal claims with a new 'public trust' that would still be dedicated to profit

The government has tried to harness profit-driven drugmaking to serve public health before. The results were underwhelming.

David Herzberg, Associate Professor of History, University at Buffalo • conversation
Oct. 21, 2020 • ~10 min

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