Judge refuses to limit access to OxyContin

LONDON, Ky. – A federal judge has refused to issue an order that would curtail the marketing of the prescription drug OxyContin, a painkiller that is blamed for the deaths of scores of people who have abused it.

Judge Jennifer Coffman also refused a motion to limit distribution of larger doses of the drug. She issued the ruling on Dec. 27 in U.S. District Court in London.

The ruling involved a lawsuit filed by six Kentucky residents and the estates of two others against Purdue Pharma, the Stamford, Conn., firm that manufactures and markets OxyContin. They are seeking $300 million, plus other unspecified damages.

A number of robberies, thefts and other crimes have been tied to OxyContin abuse in Maine and other states. Abuse of the addictive painkiller has become an increasing problem in the eastern and northern part of Maine.

A former U.S. attorney in Maine, Jay McCloskey, has described OxyContin abuse as “the greatest criminal problem” in the state. Last year, McCloskey was hired as a consultant for the painkiller’s manufacturer.

In Kentucky, Middlesboro lawyer Bill Hayes, representing the plaintiffs, said the lawsuit still is alive and well. He said Coffman’s ruling is disappointing but not surprising.

A spokesman for Purdue Pharma said the company was pleased with Coffman’s ruling.

“OxyContin has helped thousands of Kentuckians in pain to have a better quality of life,” said Dr. Paul Goldenheim, executive vice president of Purdue Pharma.

The drug is intended for use by terminal cancer patients and chronic pain sufferers. If used properly, OxyContin’s active ingredient is released slowly into the body.

But abusers circumvent the time-release by crushing the pills and inhaling or injecting the powder to get the same kind of euphoric high that heroin brings.