Pubdate: Tue, 24 May 2005 Source: Worcester Telegram & Gazette (MA) Copyright: 2005 Worcester Telegram & Gazette Contact: http://www.telegram.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/509 Note: Policy of publishing letters from state residents only Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?232 (Chronic Pain) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/oxycontin.htm (Oxycontin/Oxycodone) OXYCONTIN BAN GOES TOO FAR The proposal by U.S. Rep. Stephen F. Lynch, D-Boston, to ban the painkiller OxyContin from the commercial market goes too far. In filing the bill, Mr. Lynch cited the drug's alleged addictiveness, which he says has led to widespread abuse, making its threat to public health greater than its potential therapeutic benefits. The drug was originally approved for end-stage cancer patients and others with severe and increasing pain whose conditions counterbalanced the addictive effects of the drug. However, Oxy-Contin now is being prescribed for mild to moderate and intermittent pain related to broken bones, dental discomfort and lower back pain. It also has become popular for nonmedical uses. Abusers crush the pills and then snort or inject the drug. A ban would inhibit illegal use, but it also would deny patients, who are dying or in excruciating pain, legitimate and extremely effective pain management. Abuse and illegimate use of legally prescribed narcotics is a serious problem. But there are steps lawmakers can take short of an outright ban, which only should be a last resort. OxyContin's maker, Purdue Pharma, already is working with the Food and Drug Administration to strengthen warnings on OxyContin package inserts, and has helped law enforcement officials develop placebo tablets used in sting operations. It also is developing a formulation that would maintain the drug's potent painkilling ability, while adding a second drug that would counteract the first one only when the pill is crushed into a powder and then snorted or injected. An appropriate solution is needed. But preventing terminally ill patients and others who are in need of legitimate pain management from obtaining the drug is not the right answer. - --- MAP posted-by: Beth