Health Propaganda, Exposed
Before you act: Don't stop, replace, or delay any treatment without talking to your doctor.
“pled guilty to criminal charges of misbranding OxyContin by claiming that it was less addictive and less subject to abuse and diversion than other opioids”
Physician's peer-reviewed analysis of Purdue marketing materials, sales data and the 2007 criminal plea.
No funding statement visible to us; author is a rural Virginia physician.
An analysis drawing on Purdue's own marketing plan and the 2007 plea of Purdue Frederick and three executives.
"A consistent feature in the promotion and marketing of OxyContin was a systematic effort to minimize the risk of addiction." "On May 10, 2007, Purdue Frederick Company Inc ... along with 3 company executives, pled guilty to criminal charges of misbranding OxyContin by claiming that it was less addictive and less subject to abuse and diversion than other opioids, and will pay $634 million in fines." Sales rose "from $48 million in 1996 to almost $1.1 billion in 2000."
The author notes OxyContin "appears to be as efficacious and safe as other available opioids"; the paper ties availability to abuse by correlation, not a controlled causal study.
Purdue has maintained the drug was FDA-approved and that it marketed within its label; later settlements were reached without admissions on many civil claims.