The action was made in response to a recent LA Times article
describing a 10 year effort by the corporation to I.D. problematic prescribers
of its highly addictive and potent pain killer. Purdue Pharma was able to amass
a database of over 1,800
physicians who showed signs of reckless prescribing.
Purdue has appeared to keep its concerns to a minimum,
referring a total of 154 cases to medical regulators and authorities since the
investigation began in ’02. Legal counsel for Purdue said that the decision as
to whether or not to refer a physician was “essentially a judgment call”
determined on a case-by-case basis following corporate review.
President of the Medical Board of California, Sharon Levine
expressed her approval of the senators’ request and is hoping for Purdue
compliance.
“We would be thrilled to have that information,” Levine
said. She also stated that although the database would likely lack physical
evidence of wrongdoing, that it could offer some valuable leads down the road.
As seen in many other areas of the country, California is
struggling with a prescription drug death issue – deemed an “epidemic” by the
U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Purdue’s introduction of a tamper-resistant OxyContin in
2010 sought to make the drug more difficult to abuse. In a recent study performed
by Purdue, maximum-strength OxyContin prescriptions – favored by addicts – was
shown to have plummeted by a whopping eighty percent following the new pill’s
introduction.
Coincidence? We think not.
If you’re struggling with a pain pill addiction, Above it All Addiction Treatment
Center is the place to turn. With a team of seasoned rehabilitation
specialists available to assess and address your individual needs, you can
count on Above it All to have you on the fast track to recovery in no time.
Call today!
