Purdue Pharma LP, the maker of OxyContin, has agreed to pay $600 million as part of a plea deal with the U.S. Justice Department over a felony charge that the company misled and defrauded doctors and consumers about the addiction dangers of the painkiller. Three executives in the company, including its CEO, have also agreed to pay $34.5 million in penalties.
Purdue has acknowledged that it illegally marketed and promoted OxyContin by claiming that the narcotic pain medication was less addictive, less subject to abuse, and less likely to cause withdrawal symptoms in users than other painkillers.
U.S. Attorney John Brownlee had this to say about the settlement:
"With its OxyContin, Purdue unleashed a highly abusable, addictive and potentially dangerous drug on an unsuspecting and unknowing public. For these misrepresentations and crimes, Purdue and its executives have been brought to justice."
Source: CNNMoney
