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veggie

Registered: 07/25/04
Posts: 17,504
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Kentucky sues makers of OxyContin
#7484563 - 10/04/07 11:36 AM (16 years, 3 months ago) |
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Kentucky sues makers of OxyContin, demands money for drug abuse programs October 4, 2007 - Associated Press
Kentucky officials on Thursday sued the manufacturer of OxyContin, the prescription pain reliever dubbed "hillbilly heroin," because of widespread abuse in Appalachia, one of the United States' poorest regions.
A lawsuit filed by Kentucky Attorney General Greg Stumbo and Pike County officials demands millions in compensation from drug maker Purdue Pharma.
"Make no mistake about it — this is war," said Gary C. Johnson, the county's outside counsel who is handling the case.
The lawsuit seeks reimbursement for costs incurred in drug abuse programs, law enforcement and prescription payments through Medicaid and the Kentucky Pharmaceutical Assistance program.
In a statement, Purdue Pharma officials said OxyContin's packaging warns against the dangers of abusing the drug and that the company shouldn't be held responsible for individuals who choose to do so.
"We will defend this lawsuit vigorously and we expect to prevail," the statement said.
Filed in Pike County Circuit Court, the lawsuit seeks class-action status for other "similarly situated" counties in the state. It seeks unspecified punitive damages and the creation of a court-monitored fund, financed by Purdue Pharma, that would pay for a program that would notify users of the potential harms of the drug and spur research on the effects of the drug, among other initiatives.
OxyContin — the brand name for oxycodone — has been blamed for hundreds of deaths across the U.S. in recent years. Its intended slow-release effect can be easily circumvented, and abuse has been especially high in Appalachian states such as Kentucky, Virginia and West Virginia.
Kentucky officials decided to pursue the lawsuit after the drug maker and three of its current or former executives pleaded guilty this year to misleading the public about the drug's risk of addiction.
The company said it accepted responsibility for "past misstatements" by company officials.
"We do not believe, however, that those misstatement were responsible for individuals' abuse of OxyContin," the statement said.
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Infrared
sleeping



Registered: 07/15/02
Posts: 12,988
Loc: Chicago, USA
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Re: Kentucky sues makers of OxyContin [Re: veggie]
#7484612 - 10/04/07 11:51 AM (16 years, 3 months ago) |
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idiot hicks
-------------------- When chemistry is outlawed.. Only outlaws have chemistry
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Drewwyann
Slayer of ticks



Registered: 10/30/06
Posts: 4,077
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Re: Kentucky sues makers of OxyContin [Re: veggie]
#7484624 - 10/04/07 11:54 AM (16 years, 3 months ago) |
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this case would be extremely interesting to watch. Because both sides would have very well paid lawyers. Its a pharmaceutical company vs a state. Im putting my money on the pharm company.
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 Anyone need a glass pipe? : http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100002435158931 Love powerfully  
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Infrared
sleeping



Registered: 07/15/02
Posts: 12,988
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Re: Kentucky sues makers of OxyContin [Re: Drewwyann]
#7484676 - 10/04/07 12:05 PM (16 years, 3 months ago) |
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its hard to sue someone based on your own choice and actions.. they didnt have to take the pills. they went to a doctor looking for them because of pain disorders.. then they get pissed when they get addicted.. or the state freaks out when a few people start selling a few cause theyre poor and need money for food and housing.. come on
the legal system is a mess.. but if the state wins. i quit life
-------------------- When chemistry is outlawed.. Only outlaws have chemistry
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Seuss
Error: divide byzero



Registered: 04/27/01
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Re: Kentucky sues makers of OxyContin [Re: veggie]
#7484682 - 10/04/07 12:07 PM (16 years, 3 months ago) |
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> "Make no mistake about it — this is war," said Gary C. Johnson, the county's outside counsel who is handling the case.
Dude... the war on drugs is against illegal drugs so that big pharm can profit from safe drugs like OxyContin.
> Im putting my money on the pharm company.
That is the safe bet, by far.
-------------------- Just another spore in the wind.
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Le_Canard
The Duk Abides


Registered: 05/16/03
Posts: 94,392
Loc: Earthfarm 1
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Re: Kentucky sues makers of OxyContin [Re: Seuss]
#7484734 - 10/04/07 12:21 PM (16 years, 3 months ago) |
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Quote:
Seuss said: Dude... the war on drugs is against illegal drugs so that big pharm can profit from safe drugs like OxyContin.
Oh, the irony....
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Robo
R Series 66Y
Registered: 05/08/07
Posts: 14,861
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Re: Kentucky sues makers of OxyContin [Re: veggie]
#7484900 - 10/04/07 01:11 PM (16 years, 3 months ago) |
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It's true, prescription pill abuse is rampant in the Appalachia region (along with meth) Not too long ago the son of a family friend of ours that lived in that area overdosed on Oxy. He didn't make it.
What a way to go.
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moon_glue
Orwell's Post9/11 Era



Registered: 01/20/07
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Re: Kentucky sues makers of OxyContin [Re: Robo]
#7485008 - 10/04/07 01:42 PM (16 years, 3 months ago) |
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everyone in apalahachia and their brother do OC's. it's sad.
i hope the state sues and wins. when a doctor prescribes someone a medicine for an illness, the patient trusts the doctor that the medicine will help. People who use them correctly get addicted just as easily. It's not their fault. This makes the medical field look like kingpins and money makers when it someone we should trust our life with.
This is a legal drug trafficing syndicate. The worst is that it preys on people who go to the doctors looking for help equally as it preys on junkies.
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Mycodood



Registered: 05/22/07
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Re: Kentucky sues makers of OxyContin [Re: moon_glue]
#7485104 - 10/04/07 02:04 PM (16 years, 3 months ago) |
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Stop precribing them Oxy. After a few days without it they should be set! Right?
And the guy on the corner shouldn't be selling thme because that would be illegal. And if the police aren't cracking down on those dealers then maybe they should be sued. And if the police are sued...
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wireless
Thizziswhatis


Registered: 11/06/06
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Re: Kentucky sues makers of OxyContin [Re: Mycodood]
#7486247 - 10/04/07 07:49 PM (16 years, 3 months ago) |
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It's ridiculous that OxyContin is being sued because of individuals decisions. It's disgusting that people come to the point where they just sue anyone for any reason for money. Yes, its a Pharmaceutical company and I do not agree with many of their morals but this is just ridiculous.
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Misanthrope
Stranger

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Re: Kentucky sues makers of OxyContin [Re: wireless]
#7486775 - 10/04/07 10:42 PM (16 years, 3 months ago) |
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In a related story, Kentucky is the largest exporter of straight bourbon in the world.
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Seuss
Error: divide byzero



Registered: 04/27/01
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Re: Kentucky sues makers of OxyContin [Re: Misanthrope]
#7487262 - 10/05/07 02:10 AM (16 years, 3 months ago) |
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> It's disgusting that people come to the point where they just sue anyone for any reason for money.
I've given it a name... Lawsuit Lottery.
-------------------- Just another spore in the wind.
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Infrared
sleeping



Registered: 07/15/02
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Re: Kentucky sues makers of OxyContin [Re: moon_glue]
#7488105 - 10/05/07 11:27 AM (16 years, 3 months ago) |
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whatever happened to personal responsiblity?
what are doctors suppose to give people in pain? sugar? i mean come on all pain meds are addictive. if the patient doesnt know that, theyre stupid.
-------------------- When chemistry is outlawed.. Only outlaws have chemistry
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CaptainLinger
A Fungus Amongus


Registered: 05/25/07
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Re: Kentucky sues makers of OxyContin [Re: Infrared]
#7488489 - 10/05/07 01:36 PM (16 years, 3 months ago) |
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Quote:
In a related story, Kentucky is the largest exporter of straight bourbon in the world.
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xpl0de
ḆËŦŦЯ_őƑ_Ŧwo ƹvïlz




Registered: 07/14/07
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Re: Kentucky sues makers of OxyContin [Re: CaptainLinger]
#7488674 - 10/05/07 02:28 PM (16 years, 3 months ago) |
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mmmmm oxycodone
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