In the latest blow to the philanthropic image cultivated by the founding family of Purdue Pharma, the National Portrait Gallery in London will not move forward with a $1.3 million pledge from a charitable organization overseen by some members of the Sackler family, according to The Wall Street Journal.
The London gallery had been reviewing the 2016 pledge from the organization, and decided March 19 that it will not proceed with obtaining the funding. The money was intended for the gallery's Inspiring People project.
"It has become evident that recent reporting of allegations made against Sackler family members may cause this new donation to deflect the National Portrait Gallery from its important work. The allegations against family members are vigorously denied, but to avoid being a distraction for the NPG, we have decided not to proceed at this time with the donation," a representative for the trust said in a statement on the gallery's website.
This is the latest blow to the philanthropic image of the Sackler family amid allegations that Purdue Pharma fueled the opioid crisis. Last month, Columbia University in New York City announced it’s not accepting donations from Sackler-related entities. Tufts University and Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston are also reviewing their policies and ties to the Sackler family. The Sacklers have donated to numerous healthcare and art institutions in the last two decades.
Purdue Pharma is currently facing hundreds of lawsuits over the company's alleged role in fueling the U.S. opioid crisis.
Read the full report here.