The Sackler family and Dr. Haddox are the most visible figures in the book who show how the pharmaceutical industry put profits ahead of the well-being of patients. Macy doesn’t lay this all out at once; instead she starts with biographical details. At first, the story of the Sacklers may seem mundane or even admirable—they built a successful company from humble beginnings. Their drug, OxyContin, supposedly relieves pain without any significant risk of addiction—a major breakthrough. As Macy will reveal, however, this outward appearance of achieving the American Dream is hiding a darker story.