An investigation by Bloomberg Businessweek reveals that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has repeatedly violated its own regulations in approving addictive drugs, contributing to a major public health crisis. The FDA's role in the opioid epidemic has been characterized as more supportive of industry interests than regulatory oversight. Internal whistleblower testimonies and critiques highlight ongoing failures to update drug safety labels despite available data, as exemplified by the halted research on antidepressants in children by Gretchen Lefever due to industry pressure. The investigation also touches on broader concerns about regulatory oversight, including criticism of Dr. Peter Marks and the FDA's approval process for COVID-19 vaccines. These findings underscore a long history of regulatory capture and corruption within the FDA, which has allowed harmful substances to persist in the market, exacerbating public health risks.