State Sues Makers Of OxyContin

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Posted: 2:18 PM Oct 4, 2007
Last Updated: 6:03 PM Oct 4, 2007

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PIKEVILLE, Ky. (AP) - Prescription pills hurt their people, tarnished their reputation and purged their coffers. Now they want payback.

Eastern Kentucky leaders in the drug-ridden mountains of Appalachia filed a class action lawsuit today against the manufacturer of OxyContin.

Kentucky Attorney General Greg Stumbo and Pike County, Kentucky, officials led the charge against Connecticut-based Purdue Pharma. They're demanding millions of dollars in compensation for costs incurred in drug abuse programs, law enforcement and prescription payments through Medicaid and the Kentucky Pharmaceutical Assistance program.

OxyContin has been called "hillbilly heroin" in Appalachian states like Kentucky, Virginia and West Virginia.

In 2001, West Virginia Attorney General Darrell McGraw filed a lawsuit against Purdue Pharma over the drug. That case resulted in a 10 million dollar settlement three years later.

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Posted by: babyfatclaycity Location: powell co on Feb 13, 2008 at 10:13 PM
ive taken oxys for 9 yrs there is no better drug for pain our chief of police was killed randy lacy he was one of the best people you ever meet then the boy that shot him was on oxys that none true he was on meth he killed a mna that was trying so hard to get clay city back in order its a shme he lost his life now the police has went wild on oxy arrest but they make it look good fletch is giving lots of time on drugs its a little late i can kill my wife get 5 yrs i sell a pill i get10yrs hes working his way out of a job why dont they stop the real drug dealers the drs we love u randy you told me the drs should fry and help the town get off these oxys hes right in loving mem randy

Posted by: elizabeth Location: fl on Oct 11, 2007 at 10:06 AM
oh by the way, I realize that I have done this to myself, I am on a taper program now. I am a very normal wife, mother, professional, I travel, I have a fabulous career, I function VERY well. I just do it with these nasty little pills. as for the lawsuit...Users choice. The user knows immediately when they are becoming physically dependent, they can make the choice to continue or not. The fact remains if you have real pain, these are the best meds. No one forced me to ever take more than what I was perscibed. I knew it was wrong, I chose to do it.

Posted by: elizabeth Location: fl on Oct 11, 2007 at 09:59 AM
When i became dependent on oxycodone, i ran out before my 30 days was up. My dr. then began perscribing the same amount to my husband, who by the way has no pain, has never had an mri, x-ray or the like. I feel sure that he has done this so that I will not run out. I've been taking this for 3 years and am not sure how i will ever be off this horrible medication

Posted by: mothers against drugs Location: KY on Oct 9, 2007 at 05:58 PM
i think this STUPID drug should be taken off the shelves it is destroying our young people...and the old people are prescribed it but they just sell it for BIG bucks..i say start with the doctor and clean KY up..

Posted by: Paul Location: Lex on Oct 8, 2007 at 08:36 AM
Sueing Perdue Pharm for making OXY is about as smart as suing gun manufacturers. The use and abuse of drugs is something in the long run that occurs when people, not properly prescribed this medication, misuse it. Jeers to Greg Stumbo as well, this is obviously politically motivated and in no way shape or form should our tax dollars be spent on this. Oxy is not meant to be used by any one but those with chronic pain, or a terminal illness. I agree with those of you that say responsibility should rest in the hands of the users and the doctors who write the scripts. For those of you who have suffered financial and family loss to the abuse of this drug, as hard as it is to admit, the fault lies with the family members who misused this stuff, not the company that makes it. This is the same kind of logic that got McDonalds sued over trans fats.

Posted by: Sue Hard Location: Eastky on Oct 8, 2007 at 01:53 AM
You guys cant even comprehend the money this stuff has generated in all cases legal or illegal.Even if they win it will be a drop in the I would say bucket but its more like a lake.Two choices.Ban it all together or sue till they pull it themselves.

Posted by: ellen Location: kentucky on Oct 7, 2007 at 09:12 PM
what about the ones who have lost love ones who cares the state gets money thats bull take care of the children who lost mothers fathers give them money at least they can build a life.

Posted by: joyceann Location: louisville on Oct 7, 2007 at 09:03 PM
my husband died dr.collins of whitesburg ky gave him oxy for three years. then said no he couldnt. my husband went to the streets,he lost his life. my husband help build 119 he was a family man and was known as a hard working mountain man. I like to know more on this law suite.

Posted by: cidy Location: somerset on Oct 7, 2007 at 02:58 PM
Why blame the poor user/addicts? Because they are the ones abusing the drugs! How stupid to sue the company. If the addicts hadnt wasnt doing Oxy they would be doing something else. It was never made to be crushed up and snorted up the nose of a bunch of losers.

Posted by: C Location: Somewhere on Oct 7, 2007 at 12:05 AM
Your son did not take the drug as prescribed. Where is his personal responsibility? He could have also chosen not to take it. I've done that before with prescriptions because I chose to research any medicine going into my body. And it should be common knowledge that pain pills (along with some others) can cause dependency. You really need to stop making excuses.

Posted by: CHRS Location: LEXINGTON on Oct 6, 2007 at 05:48 PM
PLEASE, SOMEONE STOP STUMBO. THIS GUY IS A WASTE OF KY'S TAX DOLLARS. HOW MANY LAWSUITS WILL THIS MAN FILE WHILE KY ATT GEN? I UNDERSTAND FULLY THE STATES ATTY GEN'S JOB IS TO PROTECT THE CITIZENS OF KY, HOWEVER, HE NEVER SEEMED TO CARE ABOUT WHEN SERVING THE STATE UNDER PREVIOUS OFFICES. HE WITH HIS DEMOCRATIC COUNTERPARTS ARE WHAT TARNISHED KYS IMAGE FOR SO LONG. STUMBO REFUSED TO STOP HIS WITCH HUNT AGAINST A REPUTABLE GOV FLETCHER AND WASTED SO MUCH TAX MONEY WITH HIS ANGER. THE ANGER SURFACES FROM THE CORRUPT DEMOCRATIC PARTY LOSING CONTROL IN KY. KY CITIZENS, PLEASE CONSIDER WHO YOU VOTE FOR IN NOVEMBER. REMEMBER WHAT DEMOCRATIC GOVS DID TO US FOR OVER THIRTY YEARS AND STUDY THE FACTS OF THE GOOD ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF OUR CURRENT GOV FLETCHER. PLEASE VOTE FLETCHER IN NOV 2007. WE MUST SHOW STUMBO AND THE OTHER MEMBERS OF THE PARTY OF DESTRUCTION THAT THEY HAD THEIR CHANCE AND WE GREW SICK OF THE CORRUPT WAYS.

Posted by: lynn Location: ky on Oct 6, 2007 at 02:48 PM
why they are at it why dont they go after the ones that make beer whiskey and all those killers to.i dont use either one.but people get killed by drunk drivers and they choose to put it in their mouths also and kill others and most time get by without a scratch or a bump on any part of the body.

Posted by: cindy Location: somerset on Oct 6, 2007 at 02:38 PM
I think it is stupid. Drug users chose to use the drugs. Some people are in awful pain and need strong pain medications. If you had bone cancer you too would want a drug strong enough to make you comfortable. The drug companies shouldnt be held responsible for the miss use of their product.

Posted by: Jamie Location: London on Oct 6, 2007 at 08:03 AM
To all of you who are blaming this company for your own or a family members addiction, why didn't you do something about it? Why did you not stop them before they became addicted?? It is nobodys fault but their own and I think it is absolutely pathetic that everyone wants to make excuses for these people, what we are doing is saying, 'Oh, it's okay that you became addicted, it's not your fault.' How stupid!! Because it is! Most people become addicted to this drug through abuse, which concludes that it is nobodys fault but their own!! This is exactly what is wrong with this country, we make excuses for the people who want to screw up their lives and make them think it is okay, because inevitably it wasn't their fault anyway. Does anybody here not realize that some people in this country actually need this drug for whatever disease or illness they have? And are they addicted, no, because they don't abuse the use of the drug. Come on people, quit making excuses for people who screw up

Posted by: get real Location: reality city on Oct 5, 2007 at 10:06 PM
Every one needs to take responsiblilty for their own actions! If you choose to take drugs, then you suffer the consequences! I do not believe that any-one chooses to grow up to be an addict, but PLEASE, spare the pity-there are free rehabs everywhre. Get off the drugs and get on with life. There are so many opportunities if they will only explore them!!!

Posted by: Jamie Location: London on Oct 5, 2007 at 08:59 PM
I think this whole lawsuit is a bunch of bull. Why not go after the doctors who are supplying these dopeheads?? Has anyone ever thought about that?? These doctors knew what they were doing when they wrote the prescriptions. What this is going to do is just hurt the people who actually need this type of pain medication, just because our Attorney General cannot find anything else better to do. Well, I can find some things for him to do, worry about insurance and why the people who work get punished and have to pay more compared to the people who sit on their butts everyday wasting our tax dollars, or why the fire departments are being cut money to fund the building of a parking garage, there are more important issues in this state than sueing a stupid drug company when people are going to do it anyway. What makes this so pathetic is our Attorney General is making excuses for these addicts, what next sue the manufacturer of birth control because teenagers are having babies? Same difference

Posted by: mw Location: leslie on Oct 5, 2007 at 04:29 PM
To continue my commemts about Oxy's. I know what most of you are probably thinking, Yeh, this is just another mother looking for some to blame for her child being addicted. But this is not the case. This drug company knew how addictive Oxy's were, but didn't say anything. The companies & the doctors just push that much harder to prescribe this drug. I think that Purdre Pharm should be held accountable. They should have to build free drug rehabs for these addicts that truely want off these drugs. I don't blame anyone for my child snorting that 1st Oxy, but I do blame the doctor who gave it to him while I begged him not to. And I blame Purdre for not telling the public how addictive Oxy's were. Purdue & the doctors wee only worring about how much money they would make. Some doctors do legitimately want to help their patients. I hope this law suit is won in Pikeville. It won't help my son, but maybe some other mother won't have to go though what I did. Because losing a child is never easy.

Posted by: mel Location: lex on Oct 5, 2007 at 04:02 PM
This drug did not originate on the streets or being used as a street drug. Yes, it's abused now by users who will take anything and everything. But a large majority of the "addicts" are people who were given OC's by a doctor for pain, BOTH of them unaware of its highly addictive properties. It doesn't have to be snorted for dependency to occur. Taken as prescribed, it is still very, very addictive quickly. No, the street users shouldn't hold anyone accountable. But the manufacturers of OC's LIED and MISREPRESENTED the drug and there is no reason why they shouldn't be held accountable for legitimately prescribed meds causing addiction.

Posted by: mw Location: lesie on Oct 5, 2007 at 03:37 PM
You people need to realize that everyone who was or is hooked on Oxy's did not set out to became addicted. There are some people who would snort anything if they thought it would make them high. But there are people who legitimately were have severe injuries who where prescribed Oxy's, that never had any intention of becoming addicted. My son was one of those people. he was prescribed Oxy's by a Doctor I worked with after a severe wreck. I begged this doctor to not give them to him, to get him something less powerful. But doc said "He's in great pain & he needs them". And for 2-3 weeks he took them like he was suppose to & then a so-called friend talked him into snorting one. My son said he knowed he was hooked then. Drug company reps. & doctors don't tell you how addictive these drugs are. Oxy's were never intented for anything but severe pain ,such as patients with cancer. Yes, my son choose to snort that 1st pill, but the doctors & drug reps. push these pills on innocent people.

Posted by: annonymous Location: winchester on Oct 5, 2007 at 03:32 PM
How true that is "J" but you know that will never happen! Too many of the officials that are suppose to control the laws or inforce the laws are the ones that are also breaking the laws and dealing the stuff... When you see a special task force sent into that area to control the sale and illegal possession of these drugs taking them and keeping them to resale what can you do...!

Posted by: J Location: Kentucky on Oct 5, 2007 at 12:25 PM
I think the lawsuit is ridiculous. If anyone is to blame it is the doctor's prescribing OXY too much and the pharmacies that fill the prescriptions, they can reufuse to fill certain prescriptions you know. My mother died of cancer last year and the doctors wanted to "try" her on the Oxy to see if it would help...she refused, told them she didn't want that stuff in her house! She was scared to have it on her property because of all the drug heads. That is a shame, if it had been able to control her pain! I think that Kentucky has enough stigmas attached to it, we don't need anymore reason for other people to look down on us. We have always had to put up with the "ignorant, inbred, hillbillies" lablel and now "hillbilly heroin". If they would endorse stricter punishments for the people that sell and push these drugs, maybe they would think twice before doing what they do!!

Posted by: Zatoichi Location: Richmond on Oct 5, 2007 at 11:49 AM
Why blame the poor user-addict? The MAN is messing with their heads by selling them this. Ever see that commercial that has the "People Are Smart" slogan? I beg to differ "People Are Stoopid".

Posted by: TJ Location: Winchester on Oct 5, 2007 at 10:18 AM
How about suing the patients that were prescribed this medicine that obviously didnt need it and sold it. If they needed it they would not have sold it. How about the police department for not cracking down on the drug problem, oh thats right most of them are probably addicted to it too. I dont think the company is responsible. I think the ppl who sale it and the addicts that buy it are the only ones to blame. It makes no sense to sue a company in someones defense that wasnt even prescribed the drug in the first place. PPl have a choice to not snort pills, ppl have a choice to not do any drug but they choose to so that is not the companies fault. Why dont they take something else.. I forgot if it doesnt make you feel high it doesnt work, everybody has aches and pains, there are alot of pain meds that are non addictive why dont ppl try using them, they might not get high but they may be in less pain. That is not the only county in KY that deals with drug addicts either!!!

Posted by: Zeke Location: Olin on Oct 5, 2007 at 09:58 AM
Jeb & John: you are so right,I couldn`t have said it better. Everyone seems to want to place the on everyone and everything but themselves. I have never seen any twist marks on the arms of anyone where someone twisted their arms to make them do drugs, drink, smoke or other problem things that they do. Some people look for reasons to justify their bad habits and won`t take the blame themselves.

Posted by: ben Location: lex on Oct 5, 2007 at 09:55 AM
This crap is right up there with sueing McDonalds because you eat there all the time and get fat. PERSONAL RESPONIBLILITY PEOPLE, PERSONAL RESPONSIBLITY. If you're kids are on pills it's not the Rx company's fault, it's YOURS.

Posted by: mel Location: lex on Oct 5, 2007 at 09:42 AM
Angie is correct; this drug was misrepresented when introduced and therefore it IS their responsibility to help the legally prescribed addicts they left in their wake. This "miracle drug" was never revealed to have the highly addictive properties that it does. It was, essentially, mislabeled. If I had been prescribed OC for a legitimate pain and become addicted - and I most likely would - then I would blame the pharmaceutical company. There is NOTHING funny about misrepresented meds, addiction nor the destruction it's caused. There is something a little sadly funny about ignorant people who run their mouth about circumstances they have no clue about, though.

Posted by: Jeb Location: KY on Oct 5, 2007 at 09:05 AM
This is too funny. People make the choice to snort this drug; doctors make the choice to overpresribe this drug but everyone wants to sue the drug company whose drug has HELPED cancer patients when prescribed and used as it was intended. You sue and win for this one and there will always be something to take its place. It's not the company that made the drug, it's the stupid idiots who can't control themselves. So big deal...the area is poverty stricken but that doesn't mean you turn to drugs! I grew up very poor but never touched the stuff and neither have my kids. To me in Frenchburg; why the heck should you get a penny? Blame your kids and your sorry a$$ for not doing your job as a parent. Everybody wants a handout just because they aren't responsible enough to do the right thing. I'm tired of hearing people want something because of their own bad choices. Wake up! If you keep suing due to your lack of responsibility, healthcare will keep going thru the roof.

Posted by: JOHN Location: WINCHESTER on Oct 4, 2007 at 08:27 PM
OXYCONTIN WAS NOT MENT TO BE SNORTED UP YOUR NOSE. THAT MAKES THE PILL THAT MUCH MORE ADDICTIVE. THESE PILL HEADS NEED TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR OWN ACTIONS. THIS IS LIKE SUING MCDONALDS OVER THE HOT COFFEE OR SUING FORD BECAUSE THESE NON-DRIVERS KEEP FLIPPING THEIR SUV'S OR PHILIP MORRIS BECAUSE THEY GOT LUNG CANCER!! PERHAPS OUR GOVERNMENT IS JUST UPSET THAT PHARMA COMPANIES ARE MAKING MORE ILLEGAL MONEY THAN THEY ARE ON DRUGS HMMMM!!?? THATS RIGHT KIDDIES, DONT STEAL, THE GOVERNMENT HATES COMPETITION. VOTE RON PAUL 2008

Posted by: Chris Location: SE KY on Oct 4, 2007 at 07:37 PM
I think more regulation and restrictions on who doctors can prescribe it for would make a good start. I've lived with chronic pain for many years. Only terminal cancer patients should receive Ixycontin, and even then it's use should be monitored. Too many people with muscle and skeletal problems are being prescribed this, and many are turning around and selling it for big bucks. Their script more than likely paid by medicaid. C'mon, everyones back hurts! Oxycontin isn't the only problem. Percocet, Darvocet, Tylenol 3, the list goes on. There are safer non-addictive drugs that can be just as effective, such as Tramadol and Naproxin. This would also greatly reduce the seemingly abundant supply that exists on our streets. Doctors need strict prescribing guidelines mandated by the Federal Gov't for narcotic pain meds. I'm all for using any money obtained from a lawsuit for reimbursing people who have had to pay out the nose for rehab because of this drug. Lets get it off the streets, too.

Posted by: C Location: Somewhere... on Oct 4, 2007 at 05:56 PM
Um...what about a little personal responsibility? Oh, that's right. If there is a problem, it is always someone else's fault.

Posted by: Angie Location: Lexington, KY on Oct 4, 2007 at 04:51 PM
Purdue should be held accountable for the destruction Oxycontin has done. When they first unveiled the drug, it was marketed incorrectly and they misled many doctors!

Posted by: Anonymous on Oct 4, 2007 at 04:35 PM
Why is it their fault?

Posted by: Lorraine Location: Lexington on Oct 4, 2007 at 04:19 PM
I used to live in Eastern KY, but no matter where I live, we need to make dishonest drug manufactures responsible for the lies and the damage done to other for the sake of money!

Posted by: danville,ky on Oct 4, 2007 at 04:03 PM
The question is was your children under doctor care to be on this medication, if not you have no standing as they would be concidered addicts, I feel for your pain but to be entitled to the suit you would actually have to have a legitimate cause to take the medication. sorry for the honesty

Posted by: Dave Location: Lexington on Oct 4, 2007 at 03:54 PM
How can a lawsuit be filed for a drug that the FDA accepts and is still in use as a prescription pain killer? I truly believe there is abuse of this product, however, it is abuse, not the intended use. Every prescription drug carries abuse potential. Should we simply not prescribe grugs for health? Let's face it every drug company or other company out there can be sued for abuse of its products. Why do people assume they are entitled to money due to a drug problem or abuse? Does this work for alcohol as well? How about fast food restuarants? Can you really sue these companies for intentional abuse of their products? It is sad when the common people of the United States who could benefit from a drug or food will either pay more or not be able to obtain this drug due to others abusing it. I am sad to say that Kentucky is a part of this lawsuit and that a polititian would be involved clearly to get votes from a group of individuals. It is time to put blame on the individuals invloved!

Posted by: way to go! Location: eastern kentucky on Oct 4, 2007 at 03:47 PM
Way To go Pike County!!! I totally agree with these actions! They way I see it any help is better than no help, way to go!

Posted by: Chris Location: Avon on Oct 4, 2007 at 03:32 PM
Give me a break! All this amounts to is legal strong arming by the Government. The Government wore out the tobacco companies and I knew they would just move on to the next big corparation once they got all they could get. Watch out fast food and Liquor/Beer Companies! No one wants to take responsibility anymore for "thier" own actions. It is allways someone elses fault. What a crock!

Posted by: M Location: Central KY on Oct 4, 2007 at 03:01 PM
I was raised in Floyd and Pike counties. I am always frustrated and offended by the betrayal of these fine intelligent people. Inner cities and suburbs have similiar problems. Yes, there is a problem. I don't know a family that hasn't been affected. Oxycotin has destroyed lifes. It was allowed to go unchecked long enough to create an epidemic type illness. Will suing the manufacurer end this? NO. If any money is awarded, will go toward battling the abuse? It is sad to see these great people fall agian in the nations eye for a negative. I must add perscription drug abuse is a national problem.

Posted by: me Location: frenchburg on Oct 4, 2007 at 02:43 PM
I would like to know how to get in on this law suit... I had to send both of my children to rehab and one of their spouses. I am glad that I did as it got them on the straight path but it financially bankrupted me doing it. So any information that can be put onto the wkyt site will be appreciated!

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