Lynch's bill cited the large number of overdose deaths and addiction cases associated with the drug, but the measure was criticized by a spokesperson for Purdue Pharma, the maker of OxyContin.

"We absolutely share a concern that the illegal use of this drug is a serious problem in the Boston area," said Robin Hogen, the pharmaceutical firm's vice president of public affairs. "It is not, however, a national problem. If you take it off the market because it is being abused ... you're really allowing criminals to dictate healthcare policy."

Some local healthcare workers and pain patients praised the drug, and Hogen predicted that Lynch's office would be flooded by calls and letters from others seeking to prevent a ban on OxyContin.

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