Study Links OxyContin to Increase in Deaths in Canada

Oxycodone deaths rose fivefold in Ontario after OxyContin – the brand name of a popular version of the prescription painkiller – was introduced to the public drug plan, according to a study published recently in the Canadian Medical Association Journal.

Courtesy: narconon.ca

(ONTARIO, Quebec) - The devastation to families in the United States in addiction and death because of the criminal marketing of OxyContin is not just our problem -- it's cruelly shared by Canada.

Marianne Skolek

A study was recently released from Canada indicating that deaths from the misuse of prescription narcotic pain relievers have nearly doubled in 13 years.

It further stated that a 40 mg OxyContin tablet is one of the prescription medications to have caused a 40 per cent increase in opioid-related deaths since the 1990's. Experts call it Canada's hidden drug problem, one that kills more people in Ontario than heroin overdoses.

Researchers said the study's findings point to a growing trend among doctors who are prescribing narcotic pain killers, sometimes unaware of the dangers to patients.

When one such drug, OxyContin, was introduced to Ontario it was marketed to doctors as a safer, less addictive drug, which the study's authors said has been proven false.

In a written statement, Purdue Pharma Canada in Pickering, Ont., said it was concerned about prescription drug abuse, acknowledging it as a growing health problem. "It is important to recognize that opioid analgesics have an established medical purpose. OxyContin remains a safe and effective medicine when used appropriately and under the supervision of a physician. Purdue Pharma Canada is continuing to provide doctors with the information and tools to help them prescribe opioid analgesics safely when medically appropriate."

"One of our messages to physicians would be: OxyContin is not just another new Tylenol 3," said a contributor to the study.

It's funny I have one of the infamous pens Purdue Pharma distributed all over the United States to physicians -- my guess is it was also distributed in Canada. It was called the "window shade" pen. It is quite attractive -- white with blue lettering -- big blue print "OxyContin" across the pen. When you pull out the clever window shade on the side of the pen, there is an "Easy Titration Guide" in color on the plastic pull-out with how to increase the dosage of OxyContin -- or titrate it.

It's what is on the other side of the pull-out window shade that is interesting and got Purdue Pharma in some trouble years ago. It lists a "Product Dose" and "OxyContin Comparable Dose". It shows Tylenol with Codeine 30 mg and OxyContin 20 - 30 mg as a "comparable dose."

Purdue Pharma received a letter from then Pennsylvania Attorney General Mike Fisher in which he called upon Purdue to stop what he called "aggressive marketing practices, such as conversion charts in pens" to sell OxyContin.

“Purdue is responsible in its marketing and promotional activities. We do not agree that our distribution of this promotional item was in any way inappropriate, however, this is not an issue since the pen in question is no longer being distributed” said Michael Friedman, past Chief Operating Officer of Purdue.

The same Friedman who pleaded guilty to misleading physicians and patients about the addictive and abusive qualities of OxyContin. Oh and the FDA had a say in the pen no longer being used as a marketing tool. I don't want anyone to think Purdue Pharma discontinued distributing the pen because they had a conscience.

First I find it interesting that as physicians and patients were misled about the dangers of OxyContin in the United States, Canada was also being misled resulting in their "hidden drug problem."

Purdue Pharma Canada responds to the study by saying OxyContin has always been marketed in compliance with Canadian law and regulations of the pharmaceutical industry. If this is true -- and I seriously doubt that it is --since Purdue Pharma criminally marketed OxyContin in the United States and as a result is now a multi-billion dollar pharmaceutical company.

If crime pays in the United States -- and makes a privately held pharmaceutical company wealthier beyond their expectations -- my guess is that Canada was the recipient of the same marketing tactics.

Purdue Pharma Canada was quoted as saying they "will continue to do its part to help reduce diversion and abuse of medications, while making sure they remain available for appropriate medical use." In view of the fact that Purdue Pharma was convicted of marketing OxyContin criminally, I compare their "concern" for the safety of the people in Canada to our America's Most Wanted foolishly asking Charles Manson to help them track felons in an effort to make Manson appear to be repentant and not the monster he truly is.

See: Opioid deaths, most inadvertent, soar since OxyContin hits Canadian market

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Salem-News.com Reporter Marianne Skolek, is an Activist for Victims of OxyContin throughout the United States and Canada. In July 2007, she testified against Purdue Pharma in Federal Court in Virginia at the sentencing of their three CEO's who pled guilty to charges of marketing OxyContin as less likely to be addictive or abused to physicians and patients. She also testified against Purdue Pharma at a Judiciary Hearing of the U.S. Senate in July 2007. Marianne works with government agencies and private attorneys in having a voice for her daughter Jill, who died in 2002 after being prescribed OxyContin, as well as the voice for scores of victims of OxyContin. She has been involved in her work for the past 7-1/2 years and is currently working on a book that exposes Purdue Pharma for their continued criminal marketing of OxyContin.

Marianne is a nurse having graduated in 1991 as president of her graduating class. She also has a Paralegal certification. Marianne served on a Community Service Board for the Courier News, a Gannet newspaper in NJ writing articles predominantly regarding AIDS patients and their emotional issues. She was awarded a Community Service Award in 1993 by the Hunterdon County, NJ HIV/AIDS Task Force in recognition of and appreciation for the donated time, energy and love in facilitating a Support Group for persons with HIV/AIDS.

oxydeaths.com/news_chilling.htm
nytimes.com/2007/05/10/business/11drug-web.html?
blog.nj.com/njv_bob_braun/2007/07/sometimes_only_justice_can_rel.html
judiciary.senate.gov/hearings/testimony.cfm?id=2905&wit_id=6612
You can send Marianne an email at: mskolek@aol.com
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