I believe there should be some sort of legal action

[TaperPlan]

I've been a member of this site for a few years.  I've had my share of addiction battles with painkillers.  I've seen and read the hundreds of posts by others who have had to suffer like I have; some much worse than mine.  I think it's time we do something about the core of the problem by sending a message to these massive pharmaceutical companies who have pushed their products on good, but naive people knowing full well people like us would get "hooked."  I'm just trying to gauge how many people feel the same way?  How many people's lives have been ruined or suffered long-term side effects of these painkillers?  Enough is enough!  The tobacco industry, the asbestos industry and others have long tried to hide the long-term, debilitating and life-threatening effects of their products and have been exposed for their cover-ups!  Thoughts?

[nursegirl6572]

ADDENDUM:

The problem is, you can use the same (or similar) argument for surgery gone wrong.  Most people who have had surgery will probably agree that the description of the risks was probably brief and underwhelming to say the least.  But, people still move forward, despite knowing the risks, GIVING THEIR CONSENT.

There are a lot of places along the way that a patient consents to agreeing to consider the risks when it comes to medications.  Doctors will document discussions they've had, pharmacies will have the patient sign if they decline to be counseled by the pharmacist, and simply just picking UP the RX is kind of an unspoken consent.

I would be all for movements to increase educational requirements, but sadly, I'm not sure how successful that would be, it's been done.  In the past, it wasn't required of pharmacies to automatically include educational materials, now it is, but yet how many people just pitch that?  I bet most.  How else would you propose people be educated?  And WHO is responsible for that education?  Doctors?  Pharmacies?  Manufacturers?  Patients?  Family members?

You can lead a horse to water, but you cannot make him drink.  Again, my opinion.  It's a great discussion.  I hate that people end up having bad experiences, but I just don't think one can paint with a broad brush, making it everyone's issue.

[nursegirl6572]

I fully anticipate the primary defense as being "there were warnings."  What does that mean though?  Do these warnings fully describe what happens to you after your first, tenth, hundreth or thousandth pill?  I've looked through these warnings.  They're inadequate.  I mentioned this before, but how do you know about a warning against dependence when you have no idea what the dependence and addictions truly entail??  Isn't it subjective?

The problem is, you can use the same (or similar) argument for surgery gone wrong.  Most people who have had surgery will probably agree that the description of the risks was probably brief and underwhelming to say the least.  But, people still move forward, despite knowing the risks.

At some point, people have to be accountable.  Are there people who genuinely don't know the risks?  Of course there are....but "not knowing" doesn't dismiss personal accountability IMO.

To be blatantly neglectful or deceiving would be one thing, but I just don't see that with opiates.  They've been around a LONG long time.  I agree that commercials for medications are horrendous, HATE them, as do pretty much any doctor....but that doesn't apply to opiates.  

I just disagree overall with your premise.  The onus is on the patient to consider the risks and benefits before agreeing to ANY kind of medical treatment...from x-rays to medications to major surgery.  Yes, the doctors could do a better job educating...but that still doesn't excuse a patient from educating themselves.

[TaperPlan]

Weaver, would I drop the issue for $5 million?  Personally speaking I can't answer.  It would have to be what's in everyone's best interests.  Again, take a look at the movie "Punctured."  You'll see he was offered a small settlement like that but went full-throttle.  The corporation eventually had to beg them to stop and settled for a much larger amount that that.

I fully anticipate the primary defense as being "there were warnings."  What does that mean though?  Do these warnings fully describe what happens to you after your first, tenth, hundreth or thousandth pill?  I've looked through these warnings.  They're inadequate.  I mentioned this before, but how do you know about a warning against dependence when you have no idea what the dependence and addictions truly entail??  Isn't it subjective?

[TaperPlan]

msdelight - I think you are spot on with your assessment, with the exception of your rhetorical question of "what can be done?"  That's the take of someone content with the status quo.  A lot can be done.  Lawsuits are very real possibilities and I would gladly try to spearhead (with some assistance).  I think there's a major distinction between someone that's simply "hooked" like I was as opposed to someone who's lost a family member because of OD or has liver failure (or other health-related issues).  Don't underestimate the effect, influence and power of a lawsuit.  I've represented clients on both sides - plaintiffs who used dangerous products (DESPITE THE WARNINGS) and won, as well as large corporations for their failure to properly warn.  Most of those end up settling because companies don't want the bad publicity.  Plus, settlements don't necessarily get reported the same way as do liability verdicts on their corporate filings.

The fears, questions and concerns each of you raise are valid.  I HIGHLY recommend watching the movie "puncture" with Nick Evans.  In a nutshell, he was blocked and derailed a number of times by the bigger corporations.  But they ended up perservering through it and had the corporation on its knees!

Also, I may have referred to this before, but ESPN's 30 for 30 on former NBA player Chris Herren is truly one of the greatest documentaries about this exact issue.  He is candid about his dependence on oxy and how he would meet his dealer during halftime of his games with the Celtics outside the arena...

Lots of options here people!  None are more effective than lawsuits to change the corporation's strategy and education.  One can protest, picket, etc. all they want, but the corporations don't give a hoot about that.  It's only when their wallets are threatened that they start listening...

[msdelight]

In my opinion, like everything else in this country, money is the crux of the problem. Morphine and heroin were pedalled by traveling salesman as "tonic" back in the early days of the USA, and Chinese immigrants were smoking opium. The tonics were given to women and children freely, and when people realized the horrible damage,  the FDA was formed to protect us from the greedy. Merck became a profitable company by selling morphine in the mid 1800s and Bayer started out selling heroin in 1898. These companies are worth billions today because they figured out how to bribe the government to get around the laws meant to protect. They are FULLY aware of the fact that an addictive substance spells major profits because the people just want more and more and more.  They are just a bunch of legally sanctioned, well connected drug dealers that make the drug cartels look like mom and pop stores, IMO. Money.  The doctors.  Ok when you are badly wounded or have had a surgeon cut into your body, there is certainly a place for these drugs.  Most surgeons give you a limited amount, assuming you will heal and no longer need to take them. Not the case when you experience the euphoria and think you have never felt better in your life! Most will lie and cheat to get more.  So enter the "pain clinics" . A bunch of rich anesthesiologists who figured out the is even more money to be made writing scripts.  Some patients then realize that there is tons of money to be made from the poor addicted souls on the street . An anesthesiologist friend once told me that the guy with the drugs is the one who controls the world. Well ain't that the truth!
So what can be done? I don't think suing the drug companies will work unless millions of us do it all at one time and even then it is unlikely to change the status quo or bankrupt them. They are protected! I don't believe that in this age of advanced chemistry and technology that they can't invent an effective non addictive pain med. And don't even get me started about the worldwide multi billion dollar business that has grown up around subs!! Perhaps if the drug companies were forced to pay the 40,000 per addict for Passages Malibu,  or pay for the funerals of the dead and damages to the family, they would quickly find a new drug. Sadly, most of us cannot afford a lawyer.  All we can really do is raise awareness within ourselves and others. I believe that greed lies at the bottom of this issue and that by keeping the masses medicated,, the 1% er's maintain control.

[weaver71]

That's right, people are just as excited to see the new Super Bowl Budweiser ad as they are the game. Frogs, sing it with me, BUD! Weiss! ERRR! Honestly, I feel like I am on a sinking ship and the captain and sailing crew are sitting on a yacht passively watching. Our local head sheriff was driving in his cop car with a half empty bottle of Jack Daniels on the passenger seat and was swerving, they drive him home. I was told by a highway patrol lots of cops drive drunk all the time. If you say anything, they come after you, especially if you are a cop. Nobody can live without breaking laws, there are so many we don't even know about and one person could never memorize them all. Like all businesses in Texas are required to have a hitching post for horses out front, but less than half of them do. Who pays if a stampede trample Dallas or Houston? It is actually absurd, what we call a justice system.