A Ban on OxyContin in 2012?
A ban on OxyContin in 2012 could be the solution to the problems which have arisen out of prescription and diversion of this narcotic drug.
An article by Richard Sinnott, June 2011 in Florida’s TCPalm online magazine makes it clear that drug regulators have the power, as required, to remove pharmaceutical drugs from the market, and uses the example of methaqualone (known as Quaalude, Sopor…) that was first made in India, in 1955.
Similar to barbiturates, Quaalude became a popular party drug and was diverted to recreational use (ludes), with a high potential for addiction and overdose during the 1960′s and 70′s.
From 1982, laws were put into place, and Quaalude sales were banned in the USA. The writer cites similar outcomes for the pharmaceutical drugs Vioxx and Bextra.
Sinnott points out that OxyContin is a much stronger drug than Quaalude, with many people dying from unintentional overdose, even when using Oxy as prescribed. With Quaalude the main risk was accidental injury while under the influence – yet while the sedative hypnotic Quaalude was banned, OxyContin remains on the market.
Vioxx was a Cox-2 inhibitor, widely prescribed for arthritis and back pain. Post market concerns about safety risks increased leading to a voluntary recall by the manufacturer in 2004.
Bextra, a brand name for valdecoxib, was prescribed for relief of pain, arthritis, swelling and fever as from 2001, and removed from the market in 2005. Manufacturer Pfizer was fined $2.3 billion for being associated with deception and fraud in the marketing of the drug, with it’s subsidiary admitting to criminal conduct in the marketing of Bextra and being fined a whopping $1,195 billion.
OxyContin, introduced in 1996, is not free of a similarly “tainted” past – with 3 of its promoters having been banned from dealing with government agencies for a period of 12 years, and drug manufacturer Purdue Pharma paying massive fines of around $630 million, in 2007, for mis-branding in relation to the initial promotion of OxyContin concerning its addictive potential.
In 2001, Purdue voluntarily suspended sales of a 160mg Oxy tablet – the maximum dose in opiate naive users being around 40mg.
While none of the businessmen involved in the promotion of drug products that are recalled appear to face censure other than fines – users of the problematic drugs often pay the ultimate price, no post market action for recall being taken until there is an evidence base for drug related harm.
It is not as if we need prescription drug relief. There are many natural and effective options by which pain can be reduced, that are non-invasive, have no adverse side effects, and which are not addictive.
Since the emergence of synthesized drugs, intended for medical use, and their subsequent diversion, the issue has been limited to what are the “safest”drugs to use, and how best to deal with diversion.
There has been little or no government support for alternatives in pain management and cure – no allocated funding to enable appropriate testing and inquiry in the natural pain relief field.
Individuals who wish to promote alternative pain solutions are met with the argument that no trials have been conducted, they have no evidence base.
Part of the problem is that R&D funding would not be returned by a discovery that herbals and minerals in their unprocessed, natural form, that in many cases can be grown in a home cottage garden, provide the most effective cures for most of our present day maladies.
Natural health practitioners who offer bodywork, such as chiropractors and masseurs receive little if any official recognition of their ability to work with and manage pain – and no independent public funding. We are an increasingly drugged, and drug dependent society – whether we like it or not.
With each New Year it is a time to look forward to the future, reflect upon the past. For both individuals and nations who have a “drug problem” – New Year is a time to make changes.
People suffering from any kind of drug dependence or addiction, who want a new start in life, need first to break with the past – make a resolution to become independent of drugs.
The situation is not helped when we see authorities take a stand – and ban a drug such as Avastin, as the FDA has done, and have those invested with the power of continued production and distribution ( ie big pharma and the medical profession) simply flouting the FDA directive. You will still be able to get Avastin for breast cancer, despite FDA disapproval – simply because the healthcare profession wants to continue to use the drug, and health insurers are willing to underwrite the cost.
It is ultimately an individual choice – whether to make drug use part of your life - to bear the cost both in financial terms and lost opportunity to be leading a more healthy, happy life.
Comprehensive alcohol and drug addiction recovery specialists can help you to see the wood for the trees, find your way through the jungle.
Make it your New Year resolution to put Oxy and all drug use behind you.
Use a comprehensive, drug free program and start on the journey to a drug free, contented life in the year 2012.
Do you know how many people would suffer miserable lives and even self termination if painkillers were banned? What are legitimate users of painkillers supposed to do?
A certain percentage of the population are and will be addicts and there is nothing that can be done about it. It does not matter if any one thing is banned, the addictive personality will find another substance to abuse.
Banning an effective painkiller is a foolish and selfish move. Those who have lost loved ones due to OcyContin overdose should understand what will happen to the family members of a suicide due to unbearable pain.
The enemy is ADDICTION, not any particular substance or behaviour. Society always wants to point a finger at someone other than themselves.