Sealed deposition shows Purdue’s Sackler embraced plan to conceal OxyContin’s strength

(MOLLY FERGUSON FOR STAT)

STAT and ProPublica have published the long-sought deposition of Dr. Richard Sackler, a member of the billionaire family that founded and controls OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma. Here's what you need to know:

• The background: The 2015 deposition was taken as part of a lawsuit by the state of Kentucky against Purdue alleging that the company had illegally promoted OxyContin. In December 2015, Purdue settled the case and agreed to pay Kentucky $24 million. The 337-page deposition remained sealed, but ProPublica's David Armstrong obtained a copy.
• The details: The deposition divulged, among other things, emails between Sackler and Michael Friedman, the company’s head of sales and marketing in 1997 and later its president. “We are well aware of the view held by many physicians that oxycodone [the active ingredient in OxyContin] is weaker than morphine. I do not plan to do anything about that," Friedman wrote in a 1997 email. “I agree with you,” Sackler responded. “Is there a general agreement, or are there some holdouts?”
• The next steps: A trove of other documents and a tape of Sackler’s deposition are still sealed. STAT is still seeking their release in a case that’s currently before the Kentucky Supreme Court.

Read more about the document here. And for more about what it tells us about Richard Sackler and his role in promoting OxyContin, read this.