Request Legal Help Now - Free

Advertisement
LAWSUITS NEWS & LEGAL INFORMATION

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 Canada
Oxycontin (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. [DAILY GLOBE: OXYCONTIN]

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.

Last updated on

LEGAL ARTICLES AND INTERVIEWS

Prescription Pain Killer Makers Sued by California Counties
Prescription Pain Killer Makers Sued by California Counties
May 23, 2014
Five of the world’s largest narcotics makers are facing a lawsuit filed by two California counties, over allegations the companies are responsible for manipulating doctors into believing the benefits of prescription pain killers such as OxyContin, outweigh the risks, despite considerable evidence to the contrary. As a result, the lawsuit claims, the nations is facing a prescription drug addiction epidemic. READ MORE

OxyContin: Purdue Pharma Pays Millions
May 16, 2007
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. READ MORE

READER COMMENTS

Posted by

on
This is the 1st time I'm reading that they knew oxycontin didn't last 12 hours! It's exactly what I went through...I told my Dr they only lasted 8 hours and my script went up! I was right. Misleading Perduepharma almost killed me

Posted by

on
I have been on this awful drug since 2001. I cannot seem to get off of it. I had no idea about the lawsuit. Now, it's 2016, and I want compensation for what this horrible drug has done to my life.

Posted by

on
Doctors started me on 40 mg/day of Oxycontin and I wasn't told it was a narcotic. I've had never used any drug until then. After 6 to 9 months I learned it was a narcotic and wanted off. I got no help. Doses continued to increase due to the pain until I was on 240 mg/day. At that point I couldn't function and said enough. I took myself off, gradually over time (2 years) until I was off completely. I didn't even know I was addicted to it. I took it only for the pain. Then when I cut it to zero dosage, I went through hell. I've been off for 1 year but I still can't function right. I need help but not sure what kind, where, how, etc. I just can't think right anymore. I tell my story every chance I get to people on any kind of pain medication but I'm not sure they understand. My life is getting worse because my mind doesn't seem to be clear and quick as it once was. I held high level positions in 2 of the largest companies in the world. Now, I would not even hire myself for a job. I had 23 years with IBM, in middle management and was Asst. VP and Sr. Officer of MBNA (now Bank of America) until my back and medications put me on long term disability in 1999. I'm now 63 years old.


Posted by

on
Prescribed & dose increase while pregnant, baby born addicted, damaged my brain receptors - no pleasure, motivation - horrible physical & psycological addiction - lost everything financially - very expensive - cannot get health insurance - on and on and on.

Posted by

on
I lost approx. $500,000 in my divorce as well as loss of love and affection and was caused tremendous emotional stress as my wife disappeared into addiction, mental illness and eventual death.

Posted by

on
It was supposed to last for 12 hours and be slightly addicting, over the years my doc has dropped the time interval, now down to every 6 hours, which has led to withdrawal symptoms after 5 hours. The more often you take it the more often you NEED it. Suicidal images are a daily thing. Feel like a junkie. Only leave the house (bedroom) to see doc for prescription. Only joy is the euphoria of getting my fix. 90% bedridden. Can't work. Bankruptcy. No friends anymore. Wife has offered to take my only son & leave me. That means cardboard box for a home.

Posted by

on
Addiction, stress, continued use and need for higher dosages, problems with pharmacies, damaged 3 cars (lightly, while driving under the influence). I went thru HELL taking myself thru personal detox at home TWICE which was about a 30 day period. At one point, I was perscribed up to 400 mgs per day. I DID lose my job that I had for over 15 years...was it a performance issue due to the effects of the drug?

Posted by

on
My wife was prescribed oxycontin by a doctor in 2005 for chronic back pain after giving birth to our daughter. Her primary doctor could not pin point the problem with her back. With no medical insurance, it has been difficult to get a back specialist to see her to find the problem...much less a solution. Her primary doctor recently decided to stop prescribing the medication, without using a detox method of stepping down the medication, due a bill owed to his office. She is now going through severe withdrawals....flu like symptoms (X10). I have taken off work today to help her out, due to the fact that she has slept for almost a day and a half.....between vomiting, complaining of being cold and her body hurting. I'm at a loss as to what to do. It said that withdrawals could last from 10-14 days. Can anyone help me?

Posted by

on
Extreme mental and physical distress. Loss of ability to function properly which no doubt led to the loss of my job I held for 15 years.

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.

Posted by

on
I became addicted to Oxycontin when taking it as prescribed for a period of approximately 2 years. I suffered seizures and memory loss as well as horrendous physical detox pain for a period of many months. I could not keep a job and was denied disability and Medicaid support. I became homeless and if my mother had not helped me I believe I would be dead today.

Posted by

on
The detox process is deadly according to my physician, I will need prof. detox.

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.

Posted by

on
I weened off and stopped taking Oxycontin, wound up in the hospital and contracted an anxiety disorder, and now cannot hold down a job because of fibromyalgia and anxiety.

ADD YOUR COMMENT ON THIS ISSUE

Please read our comment guidelines before posting.


Note: Your name will be published with your comment.


Your email will only be used if a response is needed.

Are you the defendant or a subject matter expert on this topic with an opposing viewpoint? We'd love to hear your comments here as well, or if you'd like to contact us for an interview please submit your details here.

Request Legal Help Now! - Free