How Big Pharma Hooked America On Legal Heroin
pigrabbitbear writes "The active ingredient in OxyContin, oxycodone, isn't a new compound. It was originally synthesized in Germany in 1916. The patent on the medication had expired well before Purdue Pharma, a Stamford, Connecticut-based pharmaceutical company and the industry leader in pain medication, released it under the brand name in 1996. The genius of Purdue's continued foray into pain-management medication – they had already produced versions of hydromorphone, oxycodone, fentanyl, codeine, and hydrocodone – was twofold. They not only created a drug from an already readily available compound, but they were able to essentially re-patent the active ingredient by introducing a time-release element. Prior to the 1990s, strong opioid medications were not routinely given for miscellaneous or chronic, moderately painful conditions; the strongest classes of drugs were often reserved for the dying. But Purdue parlayed their time-release system not only into the patent for OxyContin. They also went on a PR blitz, claiming their drug was unique because of the time-release element and implied that it was so difficult to abuse that the risk of addiction was 'under 1%.'"
That just proves that Rush Limbaugh is part of the 1%.
Kind of makes all the rest of us feel like worthless garbage, doesn't it.
You must be on OxyContin.
Only to idiots, are orders laws.
-- Henning von Tresckow
Yeah, personally I'm kind of glad Rush Limbaugh hasn't OD'd yet. Everything about him makes me feel like I'm an amazing, intelligent, thoughtful, caring human being. Well... at least by comparison. Otherwise I'm not so impressive.
Don't be ridiculous. You take them with you on camping trips because being high as a kite on painkillers is the only way camping is remotely enjoyable.