OxyContin maker, execs guilty of deceit

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ROANOKE, Va. - The maker of the powerful painkiller OxyContin and three of its current and former executives pleaded guilty Thursday to misleading the public about the drug's risk of addiction, a federal prosecutor and the company said.

Purdue Pharma L.P., its president, top lawyer and former chief medical officer will pay $634.5 million in fines for claiming the drug was less addictive and less subject to abuse than other pain medications, U.S. Attorney John Brownlee said.

The plea agreement settled a national case and came two days after the Stamford, Conn.-based company agreed to pay $19.5 million to 26 states and the District of Columbia to settle complaints that it encouraged physicians to overprescribe OxyContin.

"With its OxyContin, Purdue unleashed a highly abusable, addictive, and potentially dangerous drug on an unsuspecting and unknowing public," Brownlee said. "For these misrepresentations and crimes, Purdue and its executives have been brought to justice."

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070511/ap_on_...ycontin_plea_26

[Robor007 0]

Painkillers are abusable and addictive?

[sereia 0]

oxycontin is some serious stuff. not that i know from personal experience or anything...

[MrsBruce5 0]

I read today in Newsday that "the people's mayor" Rudolf Guliani has financially been backing this company since 2000...

Wonder how much it'll hurt his chances for his presidential nomination???

Not a fan of his, as when he was mayor, he didn't do much for a particular cause that I take a personal interest in ( the legalization of ferrets as pets in NYC-but that's another story)

I digress here, but I wonder how much of his backing this company will affect this...

Rose

Edited May 12, 2007 by MrsBruce5