PAINKILLER MAKER HIT WITH LAWSUITS

Some Say OxyContin Is Causing Addiction

The maker of OxyContin has been hit with at least 13 lawsuits from people
who say they have become addicted to the painkiller and others who want to
hold the company responsible for an alarming wave of overdoses and deaths
among abusers.

"This drug has been like a cancer attacking the very fabric of our little
comer of the world," said Ira Branham, a lawyer and state legislator from
Pikeville, Ky., who is suing on behalf of three people and the estate of a
dead woman. He said the responsibility should "fall on the shoulders of the
company that was the genesis of this problem."

OxyContin, America's bestselling narcotic painkiller, is made by Purdue
Pharrna LP of Stamford, Conn.

Many of the plaintiffs say they received OxyContin legitimately and became
addicted by taking the prescribed dose. Other lawsuits seek to hold the
company responsible for illegal use of the drug, which has become a deadly
scourge in some parts of the country, especially Appalachia.

Among those suing, is the state of West Virginia, which alleges Purdue
Pharina violated state consumer law.

"They were telling doctors that OxyContin was far less addictive than other
painkillers in this class of drugs," said Doug Davis, an assistant attorney
general in West Virginia. "Now, we have a lot of people addicted to
OxyContin in West Virginia. So was that a misleading statement? Yeah."

Purdue Pharma spokesman James Heins disputed the allegations, saying the
plaintiffs were using the drug illegally or improperly. J. David Haddox,
senior medical director, said the chances of someone becoming addicted when
taking OxyContin as directed are extremely small.

A lot of these people say, 'Well, I was taking the medicine like my doctor
told me to,' and then they start taking more and more and more Haddox said.
"I don't see where that's my problem."

Already, the billions of dollars in claims represent more than what Purdue
Pharma has made on OxyContin.

OxyContin is a slow-release narcotic prescribed for victims of moderate to
severe chronic pain from such ailments as arthritis, back trouble and
cancer. One pill is designed to last 12 hours, but those who abuse
OxyContin usually crush it and then snort or inject it, producing a quick,
heroin-like high.

OxyContin abuse first became widespread in mountainous areas of Kentucky,
West Virginia, Virginia, Tennessee and Maine. It has since spread to urban
centers, including Boston, Philadelphia and South Florida.

OxyContin abuse has been blamed for more than 100 deaths nationwide.