The promotion and marketing of oxycontin: Commercial triumph, public health tragedy

American Journal of Public Health

Volumn 99, Issue 2, 2009, Pages 221-227

  Van Zee, Art ^a  

^a St Charles Clinic   (United States)

Author keywords

[No Author keywords available]

Indexed keywords

FENTANYL; HYDROCODONE; METHADONE; MORPHINE; MORPHINE SULFATE; OPIATE DERIVATIVE; OXYCODONE; NARCOTIC ANALGESIC AGENT;

CANCER PAIN; CHRONIC PAIN; CONSTIPATION; DRUG DEPENDENCE; DRUG EFFICACY; DRUG INDUSTRY; DRUG MARKETING; DRUG SAFETY; FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION; HEALTH HAZARD; HUMAN; HYPERALGESIA; NAUSEA; OPIATE ADDICTION; PAIN; PRESCRIPTION; RESPIRATION DEPRESSION; REVIEW; RISK BENEFIT ANALYSIS; SEDATION; SIDE EFFECT; ADDICTION; ARTICLE; COMMERCIAL PHENOMENA; MARKETING; ORGANIZATION AND MANAGEMENT; PERSUASIVE COMMUNICATION; PUBLIC HEALTH; UNITED STATES;

ANALGESICS, OPIOID; COMMERCE; DRUG INDUSTRY; HUMANS; MARKETING; OXYCODONE; PERSUASIVE COMMUNICATION; PUBLIC HEALTH; SUBSTANCE-RELATED DISORDERS; UNITED STATES; UNITED STATES FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION;

EID: 59049099592     PISSN: 00900036     EISSN: 15410048     Source Type: Journal    
DOI: 10.2105/AJPH.2007.131714     Document Type: Review

References (78)

1. "OxyContin Marketing Plan, 2002." Purdue Pharma, Stamford, CN, 2002.
2. Cicero T, Inciardi J, Munoz A. Trends in abuse of OxyContin and other opioid analgesics in the United States: 2002-2004. J Pain. 2005;6:662-672.
3. Oxycodone and OxyContin. Med Lett Drugs Ther. 2001;43:80-81.
4. Hale ME, Fleischmann R, Salzman R, et al. Efficacy and safety of controlled-release versus immediate-release oxycodone: randomized, double-blind evaluation in chronic back pain. Clin J Pain. 1999;15:179-183.
5. Kaplan R, Parris WC, Citron MI, et al. Comparison of controlled-release and immediate-release oxycodone in cancer pain. J Clin Oncol. 1998;16:3230-3237.
6. Staumbaugh JE, Reder RF, Stambaugh MD, et al. Double-blind, randomized comparison of the analgesic and pharmacokinetic profiles of controlled- and immediate-release oral oxycodone in cancer pain patients. J Clin Pharmacol. 2001;41:500-506.
7. Heiskanen T, Kalso E. Controlled-release oxycodone and morphine in cancer related pain. Pain. 1997;73:37-45.
8. Mucci-LoRusso P, Berman BS, Silberstein PT, et al. Controlled-release oxycodone compared with controlled-release morphine in treatment of cancer pain: a randomized, double-blind, parallel-group study. Eur J Pain. 1998;2:239-249.
9. Bruera E, Belzile M, Pituskin E, et al. Randomized, double-blind, cross-over trial comparing safety and efficacy of oral controlled-release oxycodone with controlled-release morphine in patients with cancer pain. J Clin Oncol. 1998;16:3222-3229.
10. "New Drug Application for OxyContin." Purdue Pharma, Stamford, CN December 1995.
11. Chou R, Clark E, Helfand M. Comparative efficacy and safety of long-acting oral opioids for chronic non-cancer pain. J Pain Symptom Manage. 2003;26(5):1026-1048.
12. "OxyContin Marketing Plan, 1996." Purdue Pharma, Stamford, CN.
13. "OxyContin Marketing Plan, 1997." Purdue Pharma, Stamford, CN.
14. "OxyContin Marketing Plan, 1998." Purdue Pharma, Stamford, CN.
15. "OxyContin Marketing Plan, 1999." Purdue Pharma, Stamford, CN.
16. "OxyContin Marketing Plan, 1996." Purdue Pharma, Stamford, CN.
17. "OxyContin Marketing Plan, 2001." Purdue Pharma, Stamford, CN.
18. "OxyContin: balancing risks and benefits," in Hearing of the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, United States Senate, February 12, 2002, p 87 (testimony of Paul Goldenheim, Purdue Pharma).
19. Prescription Drugs: OxyContin Abuse and Diversion and Efforts to Address the Problem. Washington, DC: General Accounting Office; December 2003. Publication GAO-04-110.
20. Orlowski JP, Wateska L. The effect of pharmaceutical firm enticements on physician prescribing patterns. There's no such thing as a free lunch. Chest. 1992;102:270-273.
21. Stolberg SG, Gerth J. High-tech stealth being used to sway doctor prescriptions. New York Times. November 16, 2000. Available at: http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res= 9502EEDF153BF935A25752C1A9669C8B63&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=1. Accessed September 11, 2008.
22. Adams C. Painkiller's sales far exceeded levels anticipated by maker. Wall Street Journal. May 16, 2002.
23. Tough P. The alchemy of OxyContin: from pain relief to drug addiction. New York Times Magazine. July 29, 2001:37.
24. Moulin DE, Iezzi A, Amireh R, et al. Randomized trial of oral morphine for chronic non-cancer pain. Lancet. 1996;346:143-147.
25. Watson CP, Babul N. Efficacy of oxycodone in neuropathic pain: a randomized trial in postherpetic pain. Neurology. 1998;50:1837-1841.
26. Caldwell JR, Rapoport RJ, Davis JC, et al. Efficacy and safety of a once-daily morphine formulation in chronic, moderate-to-severe osteoarthritis pain: results from a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial and an open-label extension trial. J Pain Symptom Manage. 2002;23:178-291.
27. Gimbel J, Richards P, Portenoy R. Controlled-release oxycodone for pain in diabetic neuropathy: a randomized controlled trial. Neurology. 2003;60:927-934.
28. Peloso P, Bellamy N, Bensen W, et al. Double blind randomized placebo controlled trial of controlled release codeine in the treatment of osteoarthritis of the hip or knee. J Rheumatol. 2000;27:764-771.
29. Roth SH, Fleischmann RM, Burch FX, et al. Around-the-clock controlled-release oxycodone therapy for osteoarthritis-related pain. Arch Intern Med. 2000;160:853-860.
30. Caldwell JR, Hale ME, Boyd RE, et al. Treatment of osteoarthritis pain with controlled release oxycodone or fixed combination oxycodone plus acetaminophen added to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs: a double blind, randomized, multicenter, placebo controlled trial. J Rheumatol. 1999;26:862-869.
31. Rowbotham MD, Twilling LO, Davies PS, et al. Oral opioid therapy for chronic peripheral and central neuropathic pain. N Engl J Med. 2003;348:1223-1232.
32. Kjaersgaard-Andersen P, Nafei A, Skov O, et al. Codeine plus paracetamol versus paracetamol in longer-term treatment of chronic pain due to osteoarthritis of the hip: a randomized, double-blind multi-centre study. Pain. 1990;43:309-318.
33. Raja SN, Haythornthwaite JA, Pappagallo M, et al. A placebo-controlled trial comparing the analgesic and cognitive effects of opioids and tricyclic antidepressants in postherpetic neuralgia. Neurology. 2002;59:1015-1021.
34. Huse E, Larbig W, Flor H, et al. The effect of opioids on phantom limb pain and cortical reorganization. Pain. 2001;90:47-55.
35. Moran C. MS continuous tablets and pain control in severe rheumatoid arthritis. Br J Clin Res. 1991;2:1-12.
36. Jamison RN, Raymond SA, Slawsby EA, et al. Opioid therapy for chronic noncancer back pain: a randomized prospective study. Spine. 1998;23:2591-2600.
37. Arkinstall W, Sandler A, Groghnour B, et al. Efficacy of controlled-release codeine in chronic non-malignant pain: a randomized placebo-controlled trial. Pain. 1995;62:168-178.
38. Sheather-Reid RB, Cohen ML. Efficacy of analgesics in chronic pain: a series of N-of-1 studies. J Pain Symptom Manage. 1998;15:244-252.
39. Martell BA, O'Connor PG, Kerns RD, et al. Systematic review: opioid treatment for chronic back pain: prevalence, efficacy, and association with addiction. Ann Intern Med. 2007;146:116-127.
40. Ballantyne JC. Opioids for chronic nonterminal pain. South Med J. 2006;99:1245-1255.
41. Regier DA, Myers JK, Kramer M, et al. The NIMH epidemiological catchment area program. Historical context, major objectives, and study population characteristics. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 1984;41:934-941.
42. Katz N. Opioids: after thousands of years, still getting to know you. Clin J Pain. 2007;23:303-306.
43. Irick N, Lipman A, Gitlin M. Overcoming Barriers to Effective Pain Management [audiotape]. Rochester, NY: Solutions Unlimited; March 2000.
44. Carr B, Kulich R, Sukiennik A, et al The Impact of Chronic Pain-An Interdisciplinary Perspective. Continuing Medical Education program. New York, NY: Power-Pak Communications; 2000:925. Program 424-000-99-010-H01.
45. Lipman A, Jackson K II. Use of Opioids in Chronic Noncancer Pain. Continuing Medical Education program. New York, NY: Power-Pak Communications; April 2000:6.
46. How You Can Be a Partner Against Pain and Gain Control Over Your Own Pain [patient brochure]. Stamford, CN: Purdue Pharma; 1998.
47. "Partners Against Pain" Web site, under "Professional Education" menu and "Opioids and back pain: the last taboo"-2000. Available at: http://www.partnersagainstpain.com/html/proofed/pmc/pe-pmc6.htm. Accessed March 19, 2001.
48. Pain Management [CD and slide instructional program for physicians]. Stamford, CN: Purdue Pharma; 2002.
49. Dispelling the Myths About Opioids [brochure for physicians]. Stamford, CN: Purdue Pharma; 1998.
50. Meier B. Pain Killer. Emmaus, PA: Rodale Press; 2003:99.
51. Porter J, Jick H. Addiction rare in patients treated with narcotics. N Engl J Med. 1980;302:123.
52. Perry S, Heidrich G. Management of pain during debridement: a survey of US burn units. Pain. 1982;13:267-280.
53. Fishbain DA, Rosomoff HL, Rosomoff RS. Drug abuse, dependence, and addiction in chronic pain patients. Clin J Pain. 1992;8:77-85.
54. Hoffmann NG, Olofsson S, Salen B, Wickstrom L. Prevalence of abuse and dependence in chronic pain patients. Int J Addict. 1995;30:919-927.
55. Kouyanou K, Pither CE, Wessely S. Medication misuse, abuse, and chronic dependence in chronic pain patients. J Psychosom Res. 1997;43:497-504.
56. Chabal C, Erjaved MK, Jacobson L, et al. Prescription opiate abuse in chronic pain patients: clinical criteria, incidence, and predictors. Clin J Pain. 13;150-155.
57. Katz NP, Sherburne S, Beach M, et al. Behavioral monitoring and urine toxicology testing in patients receiving long-term opioid therapy. Anesth Analg. 2003;97:1097-1102.
58. Reid M, Engles-Horton L, Weber M, et al. Use of opioid medications for chronic non-cancer pain. J Gen Intern Med. 2002;17:173-179.
59. Michna E, Jamison RN, Pham LD, et al. Urine toxicology screening among chronic pain patients on opioid therapy: frequency and predictability of abnormal findings. Clin J Pain. 2007;23:173-179.
60. Hojsted J, Sjogren P. Addiction to opioids in chronic pain patients: a literature review. Eur J Pain. 2007;11:490-518.
61. United States Attorney's Office Western District of Virginia [news release]. Available at: http://www.dodig.osd.mil/IGInformation/ IGInformationReleases/prudue-frederick-1.pdf. Accessed September 11, 2008.
62. United States of America v The Purdue Frederick Company Inc et al., (WD Va, May 10, 2007), Case 1:07CR00029.
63. Rischitelli DG, Karbowicz SH. Safety and efficacy of controlled-release oxycodone: a systematic literature review. Pharmacotherapy. 2002;22:898-904.
64. Drug Enforcement Administration, Office of Diversion Control. Action plan to prevent the diversion and abuse of OxyContin. Available at: http://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/drugs-concern/oxycodone/abuse-oxy.htm. Accessed March 12, 2008.
65. Crews JC, Denson DD. Recovery of morphine from a controlled-release preparation: a source of opioid abuse. Cancer. 1990;66:2642-2644.
66. "New Drug Application to FDA for OxyContin, Pharmacology Review: 'Abuse Liability of Oxycodone.'" Purdue Pharma, Stamford, CN, 1995.
67. States of Alabama, Maine, Kentucky, Virginia, and West Virginia Drug Profile by County-OxyContin, Oxycodone (Excluding OxyContin), and Hydrocodone-2000. Washington, DC: Office of Diversion Control, Drug Enforcement Administration; 2002.
68. OxyContin Abuse: Maine's Newest Epidemic. Augusta: Maine Office of Substance Abuse; January 2002.
69. Paulozzi LJ. Opioid analgesic involvement in drug abuse deaths in American metropolitan areas. Am J Public Health. 2006;96:1755-1757.
70. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Available at: http://www.oas.samhsa.gov/NSDUH/ 2k4nsduh/2k4Results/2k4Results.pdf. Accessed March 12, 2008.
71. Gilson AM, Ryan KM, Joranson DE, et al. A reassessment of trends in the medical use and abuse of opioid analgesics and implications for diversion control: 1997-2002. J Pain Symptom Manage. 2004;28:176-188.
72. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Results from the 2005 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: national findings. Available at: http://www.oas.samhsa.gov/nsduh/2k5nsduh/2k5Results.pdf. Accessed March 12, 2008.
73. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Results from the 2006 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Available at: http://www.oas.samhsa.gov/nsduh/2k6nsduh/2k6Results.pdf. Accessed March 12, 2008.
74. Paulozzi LJ, Budnitz DS, Yongli X. Increasing deaths from opioid analgesics in the United States. Pharmacoepidemiol Drug Saf. 2006;15:618-627.
75. Pulse Check: Trends in Drub Abuse. Washington, DC: Office of National Drug Control Policy, Executive Office of the President; November 2002.
76. Wazana A. Physicians and the pharmaceutical industry: is a gift ever just a gift? JAMA. 2000;283:373-380.
77. Grande D. Prescribing profiling: time to call it quits. Ann Intern Med. 2007;146:751-752.
78. Compton W, Volkow N. Major increases in opioid analgesic abuse in the United States: concerns and strategies. Drug Alcohol Depend. 2006;81:103-107.