Salem-News.com Oxycontin articles Page 2

Is VA Involved in `Pay for Play` With FDA & Big Pharma?

Our military heroes are victims of death and addiction.

(MYRTLE BEACH, SC) - In my last article I wrote about the rise in prescriptions of painkillers by the Veterans Administration (VA) providers in the last 12 years -- a whooping 270%.

Think our military heroes have more of a problem than fighting in the battlefields? They do -- and its massive amounts of painkillers being prescribed to them for the treatment of post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) with opioids -- such as OxyContin.

Rollin Gallagher`s Dark Alliance With Purdue Pharma and Prescription Painkillers

Narcotics prescriptions written by VA providers are up 259%.. VA prescriptions for Hydrocodone, OxyContin, Methadone, and Morphine have risen 270% in the last 12 years.

(MYRTLE BEACH, SC) - TO: U.S. Senate Finance Committee

In May 2012 you announced an investigation being conducted by your Committee involving the rising rates of addiction and death throughout the U.S. to prescribed painkillers. Specifically you named pharmaceutical companies and their ties to pharma funded pain societies and paid physician spokespersons pushing painkillers for all levels of pain.

FDA Accused of `Pay to Play` Involving Universities of Rochester and Washington; Experts Connect Epidemic of OxyContin Addiction

Pain Medicine News is mailed to "the highest-prescribers of pain medication." Why would they target the highest prescribers? Could it possibly be to keep the flow of painkillers in the US and Canada to increase the profits to Purdue Pharma and other pharmaceutical companies riding the addiction and death train?

(MYRTLE BEACH, SC) - My interest has been peaked by a newspaper called Pain Medicine News advertising itself as THE INDEPENDENT NEWSPAPER FOR PAIN MANAGEMENT.

There are problems here though. First at the top of the page of Pain Medicine News very proudly displayed is the "Purdue Pharma" insignia with an invitation for the reader to visit PurdueHCP.com.

`Pain Drug Champion` Under Senate Investigation for Financial Ties to the Pharmaceutical Industry

Part 2 in a series...

(MYRTLE BEACH, SC) - In December 2012 the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) wrote an article about Russell K. Portenoy, MD "appearing" to have second thoughts about pushing opioids for chronic pain.

Since Portenoy is under U.S. Senate investigation for financial ties to the pharmaceutical industry to potentially benefit financially in encouraging the medical profession to prescribe opioids disregarding the dangers of addiction, death and abuse - are his second thoughts "the fire is raging and my hose is out of water?"

FDA Requirement to Change Labels on Painkillers is Weak, Ineffective

PART 1

(MYRTLE BEACH, SC) - The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is making an attempt at requiring pharmaceutical companies to be held accountable for the weak package labels on painkillers warning of the dangers of addiction and death by issuing a directive that they think addresses the opioid epidemic. Am I impressed with the new FDA regulations? Not even close.

I still maintain that the FDA needs to be "swept clean" and have everyone from Commissioner Margaret Hamburg to Doug Throckmorton to Bob Rappaport on down replaced by people who recognize we have an epidemic which continues while the FDA and those capable of saving lives...

Why Did Purdue Pharma Miss Court Deadline in Kentucky Lawsuit?

The Kentucky lawsuit against Purdue Pharma deals with the marketing of the narcotic OxyContin to physicians in Kentucky and whether the company masked the addictive properties of the painkiller.

(MYRTLE BEACH, SC) - Purdue Pharma, the maker of the deadly drug OxyContin, missed a recent court deadline in the six-year lawsuit brought by the Commonwealth of Kentucky -- and word has it that this legal maneuver could cost the drug maker in a big way.

I'm not so sure. Could Purdue Pharma have not met the court deadline intentionally? You decide.

L.A. Times Reveals that Purdue Pharma Knowingly Concealed Database of Bad Doctors

Purdue Pharma has reaped close to $30 billion in profits since the launch of OxyContin in 1996. Some of these profits were gained from the doctors on a list that Purdue Pharma has not released to authorities.

(MYRTLE BEACH, SC) - This week "L.A. Times" reporters Scott Glover and Lisa Girion broke a news story that the maker of the deadly drug, OxyContin, Purdue Pharma, has a list of "about" 1,800 doctors who may have recklessly prescribed the highly addictive drug to addicts and dealers.

The problem is Purdue Pharms has not been alerting authorities to their list of "bad docs."

Howard Udell Legacy - 1941 - 2013

After testimony, I walked to the defense table within 3 feet of the defendants and as clearly as I could say I spoke for Jill and the victims of OxyContin by saying "You are bastards -- you are sheer evil."

(MYRTLE BEACH, SC) - Howard Udell pleaded guilty in Federal Court in Virginia in 2007 to misleading physicians and patients about the addictive and abusive qualities of OxyContin along with Michael Friedman, CEO and Paul Goldenheim, MD, Medical Director executives of Purdue Pharma.

What are you Hiding South Carolina Medical Board?

Why are US states disciplining doctors by making them read a book authored by a misleading drug profiteer under Senate Investigation?

(MYRTLE BEACH, SC) - Last week I wrote an article about the Minnesota Board of Medical Practice requiring disciplined physicians to read Scott M. Fishman, MD's book "Responsible Opioid Prescribing" endorsed by the State Federation Board of Medical Boards in all 50 states as well as Canada.

Dr. Fishman's misleading book minimizes the risks of addiction when a physician prescribes narcotics to patients.

Slapping the Wrist of Minnesota`s Drug Pushing Doctors

Forced to read a book by a physician under Senate Investigation?

(MYRTLE BEACH, SC) - What is the Minnesota Board of Medical Practice doing to sanction some physicians in disciplinary action?

This falls under the category of totally unbelievable -- if not criminal. This month it came to my attention that two physicians were being disciplined by the Minnesota Board of Medical Practice. I have no doubt that other physicians in Minnesota have also been given the same "directive".