Purdue’s action on OxyContin not a selfless action

With the recent announcement by Purdue Pharmaceuticals that it will discontinue actively marketing OxyContin, are we seeing a turning of the tide as it relates to curbing the rampant opioid use? No one should be confused that this is a selfless act by the industry — instead it is merely an attempt to survive.

Much of what we are seeing has played out before — it is the same path Big Tobacco took. Both industries hid the addictive nature of their products until they could no longer do so. Purdue sales representatives are on record as saying that no more than 1 percent of the users get addicted, but studies have shown up to 16 percent may acquire this habit.

As lawsuits have been mounting against Purdue — it paid out $600 million in 2007 for civil and criminal charges related to marketing — the company had to change directions. In 2001 alone, the entity spent $200 million on marketing and promoting OxyContin. Sales forces were doubled, 40 national pain-management conferences at resorts were provided free of charge for the physicians, pharmacists and nurses that attended, sales incentive bonuses were paid out to the tune of $40 million, and a free limited-time prescription for a seven- to 30-day supply was provided patients.


Source :- robesonian