AHS Views

If you started taking OxyContin and ended up needing drug addiction help for any reason, here is what the FDA has to say: “The fact that the sponsor misrepresented OxyContin’s addictive potential does not negate the findings of safety and effectiveness of the drug when used properly.” That’s from Susan Cruzan, FDA spokeswoman.

In case you didn’t know, Purdue Pharma pled guilty in May 2007 to falsely advertising OxyContin as having a low potential for addiction. I’m not sure if the FDA has figured out that OxyContin is highly addictive and is harder to get off of than heroin.  OxyContin was originally approved for terminal cancer patients in extreme pain. Perhaps Purdue Pharma decided that it had little addictive potential because people who used it “properly” would die anyway.

While that may be harsh, one ongoing problem we have in this country because of misuse is a “national wave of pharmacy robberies.” Another problem is people who have become dependent on the drug. The FDA seems to hide behind the word addiction and, since people who are dependent are not addicted by their definition, no other action by the FDA is necessary.

The problems and costs of OxyContin addiction or dependency are ongoing for everyone except Purdue. Robberies won’t matter to Purdue because the drugs stolen from pharmacies are paid for, as are the drugs purchased to replace them – in other words, whether the drugs are legally or illegally obtained, Purdue Pharma cashes in. Of course legal costs, investigative costs, and prison costs are all paid for by us taxpayers. And we also foot the bill for the hundreds of publicly-funded drug detox and drug rehab centers. Drug addiction help for OxyContin keeps us busy here at Addiction Help Services.