FWD:RSDHope news letter/Lawmaker wants Oxycontin removed from market

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From: byrd45 (Original Message) Sent: 5/22/2005 6:48 PM
LAWMAKER WANTS TO REMOVE OXYCONTIN FROM MARKET

By Ann E. Donlan

Saturday, May 7, 2005

OxyContin Maker Says Lynch Bill a Real Pain

By Ann E. Donlan
Saturday, May 7, 2005

The makers of the chronic pain medication OxyContin vowed to fight a Bay State congressman's bill that would outlaw the drug in the U.S. because of the rate of addiction and overdose deaths.

``We absolutely share a concern that the illegal use of this drug is a serious problem in the Boston area,'' said Robin Hogen, vice president of public affairs for Purdue Pharma, the maker of OxyContin. ``It is not however a national problem. If you take it off the market because it is being abused . . . you're really allowing criminals to dictate health care policy.''

U.S. Rep. Stephen F. Lynch (D-South Boston) has filed a bill seeking to pull the controversial drug from the market, a move that prompted many medical professionals and patients taking the drug for chronic pain, to express alarm.

``It has revolutionized comfort for many of my patients,'' said Marybeth Singer, a nurse practioner at New England Medical Center who works with cancer patients.

Singer said the drug, which several patients praised yesterday because they say it is the only way they can live with chronic pain and still work and enjoy their families, is ``a very useful drug when used appropriately.''

But when it's not used as directed, the time-release drug, if crushed and then injected or snorted, can deliver an almost immediate heroin-like high that is highly addictive.

Hogen predicted that Lynch's mailbox and phone lines would be jammed from health care specialists and patients who oppose his proposed ban."


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From Keith at American RSDHope, www.RSDHope.org

The Bill is number H.R.2195.

Title: To provide for the withdrawal of the drug OxyContin from the commercial market!

Latest Major Action: 5/13/2005 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

Currently there are no Co-sponsors but we need to write to all of our Representatives and ask them not to co-sponsor this Bill and also to write to Congressman Hogen and ask him to withdraw this piece of Legislation.


INTERESTED IN CONTACTING HIM? Thought you might be

Here is his email address, stephen.lynch@mail.house.gov

His Mailing address and Phone contact information can be found on his home page at

His website is http://www.house.gov/lynch/contact.htm

Here is the Bill

http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c109:H.R.2195:


Not sure how to write your Congressional Representatives? Just go to American RSDHope's Link Lists and look for the links to Elected Officials, or click on this hyperlink;

http://www.rsdhope.org/ShowPage.asp?PAGE_ID=84

the easiest being the following;

http://www.house.gov/writerep/


IF YOU OR YOUR LOVED ONE IS ON OXYCONTIN AND IT MAKES A DIFFERENCE IN THEIR LIFE, LET THEM KNOW WHY OXYCONTIN IS VITAL FOR CHRONIC PAIN PATIENTS, ESPECIALLY FOR RSD PATIENTS!

PLEASE PASS THIS LETTER ON TO YOUR GROUPS, FAMILIES, FRIENDS, SEND THEM TO THE "WHAT'S NEW" SECTION ON THE FRONT PAGE OF THE WEBSITE OR SIMPLY SHARE THE WEBSITE LISTED BELOW

http://www.rsdhope.org/Showpage.asp?PAGE_ID=33&PGCT_ID=3061

Thanks for your help!

Never underestimate the power and reach of a single dedicated individual to change the world, your power.

Keith Orsini

American RSDHope
www.RSDHope.org