McKinsey Under Criminal Investigation over Opioid-Related Consulting (wsj.com)

Article summary

McKinsey is under criminal investigation for its consulting work related to the opioid crisis. The company has already paid out nearly $1 billion to settle claims by state attorneys general and local governments. The investigation and settlements have raised questions about the company's role in the opioid epidemic and its business practices. McKinsey's work with Purdue Pharma and other opioid manufacturers has been particularly scrutinized.

Main themes

• Opioid crisis
• McKinsey's business practices
• Consulting industry ethics
• Regulatory capture
• Corporate accountability

What commenters say

• McKinsey's involvement in the opioid crisis is a symptom of a larger problem with the company's ethics and business practices.
• The company's ability to advise clients on how to maximize profits while ignoring potential harm is a major concern.
• McKinsey's reputation and influence are undeserved and have been built on a foundation of questionable advice and conflicts of interest.
• The consulting industry as a whole is plagued by a lack of accountability and a tendency to prioritize profits over people.
• Some argue that McKinsey's employees are not inherently bad people, but are rather products of a system that values prestige and profit over ethics.
• Others believe that working for McKinsey is a moral choice and that those who do so are complicit in the company's wrongdoing.
• The use of consultants by governments and corporations can lead to regulatory capture and the prioritization of special interests over the public good.
• McKinsey's alumni network and revolving door with government and industry are seen as major factors in the company's influence and ability to shape policy.