Maker of OxyContin faces at least 13 lawsuits over often-abused painkiller

Associated Press

The maker of OxyContin has been hit with at least 13 lawsuits from patients who have become addicted to the painkiller and others who want to hold the company responsible for an alarming wave of overdoses and deaths among abusers.

''This drug has been like a cancer attacking the very fabric of our little corner of the world,'' said Ira Branham, a lawyer and state legislator from Pikeville, Ky., who is suing on behalf of three people and the estate of a dead woman. He said the responsibility should ''fall on the shoulders of the company that was the genesis of this problem.''

OxyContin, America's best-selling narcotic painkiller, is made by Purdue Pharma LP of Stamford, Conn.

Many of the plaintiffs say they received OxyContin legitimately and became addicted by taking the prescribed dose. Other lawsuits seek to hold the company responsible for illegal use of the drug, which has become a deadly scourge in some parts of the country, especially Appalachia.

Among those suing is the state of West Virginia, which alleges Purdue Pharma violated state consumer law.

''They were telling doctors that OxyContin was far less addictive than other painkillers in this class of drugs,'' said Doug Davis, an assistant attorney general in West Virginia. ''Now, we have a lot of people addicted to OxyContin in West Virginia. So was that a misleading statement? Yeah.''

Purdue Pharma spokesman James Heins disputed the allegations, saying victims were using the drug illegally or improperly. Dr. J. David Haddox, senior medical director, said the chances of someone becoming addicted when taking OxyContin as directed are extremely small.

''A lot of these people say, 'Well, I was taking the medicine like my doctor told me to,' and then they start taking more and more and more,'' Haddox said. ''I don't see where that's my problem.''

Already, the billions of dollars in claims represent more than what Purdue Pharma has made on OxyContin.