New Jersey Sues OxyContin for Fraud
By Brenner Spiller & Archer | November 1, 2017
A lawsuit against Purdue Pharma has been filed by the State Attorney General’s office, claiming the OxyContin manufacturer practiced deceptive marketing. OxyCodone, sold by Purdue under the brand name OxyContin, is a narcotic used to treat moderate-to-severe pain and known for being highly addictive.
State Attorney General Christopher Porrino is accusing Purdue Pharma of making dishonest claims about its pain-relieving drug. The suit alleges Purdue spread the idea that chronic pain is under-treated and that OxyContin should be the main treatment option for chronic ailments even through the drug lacks any studies over 12 weeks.
Purdue Pharma confirmed October 26th that federal prosecutors in Connecticut are investigating allegations that the company distorted the health risks of opioid painkillers.
The New Jersey lawsuit also implies OxyContin has been a major factor in the state’s rising opioid addiction crisis, charging Purdue with the creation of a “public nuisance.”
“As a company grounded in science, we must balance patient access to FDA-approved medicines, while working collaboratively to solve this public health challenge,” Purdue announced in a statement denying the accusations. “We are deeply troubled by the opioid crisis and we are dedicated to being part of the solution.”
Sales representatives from Purdue Pharma were reportedly required to meet a 7 to 8-visit quota per day to doctors in New Jersey. The company has generated over $35 billion in sales since it’s debut, with current annual revenues mostly from the sale of OxyContin.
In 2015, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that more than 52,000 Americans were killed by drug overdoses. Most of these overdoses involved prescription opioids like OxyContin.
