Stay Informed

Sign up for news & alerts

Already signed up?
Login here
What Can I Do?


Get Help
Need alcohol or drug help for yourself or someone else? GET HELP
Resources
Resources
Find useful publications, online documents & more.


DrugScreening.org


 
OxyContin Maker Urged to Alter Practices
August 9, 2001

Email
Email
Print
Print
SubscribeSubscribe
News Summary

Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal called on the Stamford, Conn.-based Purdue Pharma to "completely overhaul and reform" its marketing and distribution of OxyContin, the Associated Press reported Aug. 6.

"Very bluntly, initiatives must move beyond cosmetic and symbolic steps to deal directly with alarming and growing diversion, abuse, fraud, robbery, and other law-breaking spawned by the present system of distribution," Blumenthal wrote in a letter to the company.

Blumenthal further urged the company to devote a portion of its profits to treatment and rehabilitation of those addicted to the painkiller.

OxyContin has been blamed for numerous overdoses and more than 100 deaths throughout the country. Those who misuse the drug crush the pill and snort or inject it to produce a quick, heroin-like high.

Officials at Purdue Pharma said they would meet with Blumenthal next week. While the company would not comment on Blumenthal's specific proposals, officials said they disagreed with the "tone and content" of the letter.

"He knows that Purdue Pharma is making substantive efforts to address the problem of prescription-drug abuse and to ensure that patients continue to have access to the best pain medications available," said a statement from Purdue Pharma. "We are concerned that the harsh tone of his letter will cause alarm among pain patients in Connecticut whose medical care would be compromised by some of the restrictive proposals he suggests."

COMMENTS ON THIS ARTICLE:

Your Turn! Post a public comment (read guidelines):

Name:

Comment:
(limit 200
words)
Enter this word
(help):		 Change

GUIDELINES: 
To keep this feature useful for everyone, please:

  1. Keep it clean, courteous, focused, and on-topic. Comments are meant for thoughtful discussion of the article published above.

  2. Do not post personal requests for help or general promotions for your organization (Get help).

  3. Proof your comments carefully, use good spelling and punctuation, and don't use ALL CAPS. Comments are published immediately and cannot be edited.

Deceptive, slanderous and commercially-motivated posts are prohibited. We reserve the right to remove comments not conforming to these guidelines. (Report a comment).

Have questions or feedback? Contact us.