Pubdate: Mon, 20 Aug 2001
Source: American Medical News (US)
Copyright: 2001, American Medical Association
Contact: http://www.ama-assn.org/public/journals/amnews/edlet.htm
Website: http://www.amednews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1235
Author: Tanya Albert - AMNews staff
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?186 (Oxycontin)

DEATH FUELS BROUHAHA OVER OXYCONTIN PRESCRIBING PRACTICES

Lawsuits Against The Drug's Manufacturer Have Snowballed. And A Florida 
Physician Faces Murder Charges In Connection With A Prescription For The Drug.

It doesn't look like the controversy surrounding the painkiller OxyContin 
will be abating any time soon.

What started with a couple of lawsuits filed against the drug's 
manufacturer, Purdue Pharma, has snowballed into 13 civil cases filed in 
the eastern United States. And in Florida, one physician has been charged 
with murder, accused of improperly prescribing the drug that contributed to 
a 21-year-old man's death.

The murder charge was part of an 80-count indictment a Florida grand jury 
handed down against family physician Denis Deonarine, MD. Dr. Deonarine 
also is charged with racketeering and drug trafficking involving oxycodone 
hydrochloride, alprazolam and diazepam.

The first-degree murder charge is in connection with the death of Michael 
Labzda. He died in February, and an autopsy found oxycodone hydrochloride 
and alprazolam in his blood. The state accused Dr. Deonarine of prescribing 
the drugs without medical documentation justifying the need, according to 
court documents.

Dr. Deonarine pleaded not guilty to the charges and is free on bail. 
Attempts to reach him were unsuccessful, and calls to his attorney were not 
returned. Dr. Deonarine's indictment has put some Florida physicians on 
edge about prescribing OxyContin (oxycodone hydrochloride).

"It will have a negative impact," said Miami pain medicine specialist 
Albert Ray, MD, president of the American Academy of Pain Medicine. "It 
affects patients' perception of the treatment, and it affects the 
physicians when it comes to prescribing."

However, licensing boards say few doctors have lost their license over 
prescribing the drug.

People with chronic pain describe the drug as a miracle cure, but it also 
has become an illicit street drug that users crush and snort or dissolve 
and inject to get a powerful high. OxyContin's illegal use has been most 
prevalent in the southeastern United States.

Thirteen lawsuits have been filed against the drug's manufacturer. Doctors 
also are named in some of the suits, which have been filed in Ohio, West 
Virginia, Virginia and Kentucky. Some suits claim the company marketed the 
drug in a coercive and deceptive manner. Plaintiffs want the company to 
take responsibility for overdoses and deaths related to the drug. Purdue 
Pharma spokesman Robin Hogen said the problems with OxyContin are limited 
to drug abusers.

"It's a very safe drug," Hogen said. "It's very unusual for any patients 
under physician care to have an adverse reaction to the drug." The American 
Academy of Pain Medicine and others are working to give physicians and 
medical students more information on the best ways to treat pain.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager