Author: Stephen Johnson / Source: Big Think
Purdue Pharma, maker of the prescription painkiller OxyContin, has patented a new drug aimed at weaning addicts off opioids.
The new drug is a faster-acting form of buprenorphine, a mild opiate that helps addicts control cravings.
“While opioids have always been known to be useful in pain treatment, they also display an addictive potential,” reads the patent, which was first reported by the Financial Times. “Thus, if opioids are taken by healthy human subjects with a drug-seeking behaviour, they may lead to psychological as well as physical dependence.”
The patent comes as more than two dozen states and hundreds of cities are suing Purdue and its competitors for their role in the opioid crisis, which is estimated to kill more than 46 people every day in the U.S. This week, Colorado became the latest state to sue Purdue Pharma L.P. and Purdue Pharma Inc.
“Purdue’s habit-forming medications coupled with their reckless marketing have robbed children of their parents, families of their sons and daughters, and destroyed the lives of our friends, neighbours, and co-workers,” Colorado Attorney General Cynthia Coffman said. “While no amount of money can bring back loved ones, it can compensate for the enormous costs brought about by Purdue’s intentional misconduct.”
The lawsuit claims Purdue downplayed OxyContin’s risks, exaggerated its benefits and “advised healthcare professionals that they were violating their Hippocratic Oath and failing their patients unless they treated pain symptoms with opioids,” according to the Colorado attorney general’s office.
Purdue denied the allegations in a statement.
“The state claims Purdue acted improperly by communicating…
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