Pubdate: Mon, 21 May 2001
Source: Associated Press (Wire)
Section: State and Regional
Copyright: 2001 Associated Press
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/27
Author: Ken Thomas, Associated Press Writer

DOCTORS, DRUG INVESTIGATORS TRYING TO STOP OXYCONTIN ABUSE GATHER IN FLORIDA

DANIA BEACH, Fla. -- Doctors and drug investigators, seeking a balance 
between helping patients and preventing abuse, gathered Monday to try to 
halt the growing illegal distribution of the painkiller OxyContin.

Drug manufacturers said they want to increase awareness about the dangers 
of the pill, also known by its generic name, oxycodone. The prescription 
pill, developed to treat chronic pain in cancer patients and those with 
arthritis and back pain, has grown in popularity among drug abusers.

"We want to make sure that OxyContin and other strong medications remain 
available to the patients with legitimate needs," said Dr. J. David Haddox, 
senior medical director of Purdue Pharma, the maker of OxyContin tablets.

"And we want to make sure that law enforcement cooperates with the medical 
community and the public ... to make sure these drugs stay out of the hands 
of criminals and people who don't need them."

When used properly, oxycodone is released slowly into the system. But 
abusers of the drug grind tablets into powder and snort or inject the drug 
to produce feelings of euphoria.

Florida medical examiners reported that overdoses of the painkiller killed 
152 people statewide during the final six months of 2000, more than any 
other drug.

Overdoses have also been rising in other states; the drug has been linked 
to at least 59 deaths in Kentucky's mountain region and 42 deaths in 
Virginia since 1998.

Twenty West Virginia deaths last year had ties to oxycodone, according to 
autopsy reports and an investigation by the state medical examiner's office.

To help curb abuse, Purdue Pharma has mailed thousands of educational 
brochures to doctors and pharmacists and is distributing special 
prescription pads to doctors, making it more difficult to forge prescriptions.

Haddox said the recent focus on OxyContin has caused some doctors to become 
leery of prescribing it even to patients who need it.

"I spoke to a patient the other day whose doctor is no longer prescribing 
this for him, and he has to drive 100 miles round trip to a pain clinic 
that will prescribe it for him," Haddox said. "He never abused the 
medicine. Why should he be punished for that?"

Investigators say the drug is often stolen from pharmacies, obtained from 
forged prescriptions or wrongly prescribed by a doctor. OxyContin has a 
street value of about $40 for a 40-milligram tablet, said Charles Chichon, 
president of the National Association of Drug Diversion Investigators.
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MAP posted-by: Beth