Purdue pays out over $7 million over OxyContin

ALBANY, N.Y. Purdue Pharma has paid New York State over $7 million in damages in connection to misrepresentations about the dangers of the drug OxyContin.

Sales managers were taught that OxyContin produced less euphoria in users and had less potential for abuse than short acting opioid medications.  Prosecutors allege that Purdue’s research contradicted these claims.

“This is a dangerous, deadly drug with a well-documented history of causing addiction in its users,” Attorney General Andrew Cuomo said. “Nevertheless, Purdue actively promoted OxyContin as a safe and less-addictive alternative to other painkillers.”