False Promotion of Oxycontin by the Purdue Frederick Company Inc.
On May 10, 2007, the FDA reported that The Purdue Frederick Company Inc had pled guilty in the United States to felony charges of misbranding the painkiller OxyContin, a powerful prescription pain reliever, with the intent to defraud and mislead. Purdue had agreed to pay more than $634 million to resolve criminal charges, restitution to government agencies and other civil liabilities.
The charges included several illegal schemes to promote, market and sell OxyContin as being less likely to cause abuse, addiction, tolerance and withdrawal than other pain medications. In particular, it is reported that Purdue trained its sales representatives to make false representations to health care providers about the difficulty of extracting oxycodone, the active ingredient, from the OxyContin tablet thereby decreasing the potential for abuse, and that a lack of euphoria rendered it less addictive than immediate-release opiates and morphine. In addition, Purdue falsely labeled OxyContin as providing "fewer peaks and valleys than with immediate-release oxycodone," and falsely represented that patients taking lower dosages of the drug can always be discontinued abruptly without suffering withdrawal symptoms or tolerance.
OxyContin Articles
Oxycontin Abuse in CanadaOxycontin (also known as Oxycodone) is a powerful narcotic drug used for the treatment of moderate to severe pain. In Canada it is sold under various trade names, including OxyContin, Supeudol, Endocet and Oxycocet. And it's also known as "hillbilly heroin" due to its popularity in poor regions of the US, where overdoses have claimed more than 100 lives.
OxyContin: Purdue Pharma Pays Millions
You know it's bad when the executives take a personal hit. In the third-largest award of its' kind in the nation's history, Purdue Pharma was slammed with a U.S. $600 million penalty over allegations of misbranding pertaining to its' popular painkiller, OxyContin.
OxyContin in the News
MAY-30-07: A former nurse whose daughter died after taking OxyContin says she faced warnings from Purdue to stop talking about the dangers of OxyContin or she would face defamation suits. She also says one executive spread a rumor that her daughter was a drug abuser. [STAR-LEDGER: OXYCONTIN]MAY-20-07: Wisconsin and 25 other states have filed settlements with Purdue Pharma over the company's marketing of OxyContin. The states alleged that Purdue marketed OxyContin for off-label use and did not disclose abuse risks associated with the drug. [
MAY-18-07: Two congressmen have written letters to the FDA and Purdue Pharma asking that OxyContin be reclassified so it can only be given to people in severe pain. Currently, people in moderate pain can also be given OxyContin. [STAR: OXYCONTIN]
MAY-16-07: The maker of OxyContin will pay $19.5 million to 26 states to settle complaints that it encouraged over-prescription of the painkiller. Officials complained that the company told doctors to prescribe eight-hour doses instead of the twelve-hour doses approved by the FDA. [TIMES: OXYCONTIN]
May-15-07: The government of Newfoundland and Labrador is considering whether or not it has the grounds to sue the makers of OxyContin to recover the millions of dollars the government spent treating addicts. [CBC NEWS: OXYCONTIN]
MAY-11-07: Prosecutors claim that Purdue Pharma knew that oxycodone could easily be extracted from OxyContin and used intravenously. Furthermore, sales representatives for the company gave doctors misleading charts and were trained in overcoming concerns voiced by doctors about the potential for abuse of the drug. [STAR: OXYCONTIN]
MAY-11-07: The company that makes OxyContin will pay $600 million in fines to resolve charges that it misbranded the drug. The company, Purdue Pharma, claimed OxyContin was not addictive, however the drug actually resulted in high rates of addiction. [HERALD-TRIBUNE: OXYCONTIN]
OxyContin Addiction Legal Help
If you reside in Canada, please [click here] for the Canadian complaint form.US residents: If you or a loved one have been prescribed OxyContin and would like to be contacted by a lawyer at no obligation, please click the link below to send your complaint to a lawyer to evaluate your claim at no cost or obligation.
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OxyContin: Purdue Pharma Pays Millions
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Wendy Woo
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Susie
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The effects of this drug also caused conflict in my marraige. My Husband was also prescribed and became addicted to Oxycontin.
I went thru HELL trying to work thru this addiction and with the help of my Husband went thru self imposed rehab at home...twice. It was physical and mental hell for a minimum of 30 days each time. During the time on the drugs, I did damage 3 of our our vehicles. I believe the prolonged use of high doseages of this drug impaired my ability to perform my job which resulted in the loss of a 15 year term of employment and a great monetary loss.
Georgia
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Tennessee
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Unable to be without the drug, the withdrawal i have from missing one pill is horrible. my bladder/kidneys have not been the same... i have lost control of my bladder. withdrawls are so intense i have to be in bed, and am unable to care for my family along with my business. i have lost thousands of dollars due to being unable to work.
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