How much did the Sackler family benefit from OxyContin?
Purdue distributed more than $10 billion to or for the benefit of the Sacklers between 2008 and 2016, from a family fortune estimated at $13 billion, while OxyContin generated $1–3 billion in annual sales at its peak — the scale of withdrawals was central to creditor grievances in bankruptcy.
The Sackler family owned Purdue privately, and OxyContin was central to their wealth. One account says OxyContin generated $1 billion to $3 billion in annual sales from 2003 and that OxyContin sales made up most of a family fortune estimated at $13 billion, spread across about 20 family members. Between 2008 and 2016, Purdue distributed more than $10 billion to or for the benefit of the Sacklers. Family members have not been on Purdue's board or received payments since 2018, according to NPR. Lawsuits alleged that family members personally directed the marketing strategy that downplayed addiction risk; the family has denied wrongdoing. Under the 2025 settlement, the family will contribute up to $7 billion over 15 years and has agreed to stop putting its name on institutions in exchange for donations.