A New York Times article focuses on donations received by the National Academy of Sciences between 2000 and 2017 from the Sackler family.  As the scale of the opioid epidemic in this country became clear, the NAS Council decided to freeze the use of these funds in 2019.  We are deeply troubled by the human tragedy of the opioid epidemic, and are committed to responsibly disposing of, or repurposing, these funds.  

The news article suggests that the donations from the Sacklers presented a conflict of interest for the National Academies’ studies on chronic pain, opioid use, and ways to combat the opioid epidemic. The Sackler funds were never used to support an advisory study on these issues.  It also is important to note that these funds were donated to the NAS, not the National Academy of Medicine.  

We have been transparent about the Sackler funds, listing them in our annual treasurer’s reports and elsewhere. The National Academies have many checks and balances to protect the integrity, independence, and objectivity of our evidence-based study process, including welcoming public comment on committee nominees, our long-standing peer-review procedure, and our updated conflict-of-interest policy.  Ensuring that volunteer committee members remain aware of and adhere to our policies on conflict of interest and disclosure is an essential part of our process. 

The NAS Council has explored several options, including returning the funds. There are a range of contractual, legal, and practical considerations that affect our ability to return or repurpose the funds. Doing so in an ethical and transparent manner will be the most important consideration. 

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