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Podcasts Take Two
Report shows 1,800 doctors may have recklessly prescribed Oxycontin
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Aug 12, 2013
Listen • 6:40
Report shows 1,800 doctors may have recklessly prescribed Oxycontin
The LA Times reports that Purdue Pharma has identified roughly 1,800 doctors who may have recklessly prescribed the painkiller to addicts and dealers.
The prescription medicine OxyContin is displayed August 21, 2001 at a Walgreens drugstore in Brookline, MA. The powerful painkiller, manufactured to relieve the pain of seriously ill people, is being used by some addicts to achieve a high similar to a heroin rush. Its popularity among abusers of the drug has resulted in a string of pharmacy robberies nationwide. Armed robbers raid the pharmacies for the painkiller which has a street value of $40 for a 40mg pill.
The prescription medicine OxyContin is displayed August 21, 2001 at a Walgreens drugstore in Brookline, MA. The powerful painkiller, manufactured to relieve the pain of seriously ill people, is being used by some addicts to achieve a high similar to a heroin rush.
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Darren McCollester/Getty Images
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The LA Times reports that Purdue Pharma has identified roughly 1,800 doctors who may have recklessly prescribed the painkiller to addicts and dealers.

The drug Oxycontin has been in the headlines recently for all the wrong reasons.

The L.A. Times reports that Purdue Pharma has identified roughly 1,800 doctors who may have recklessly prescribed the painkiller  to addicts and dealers. Despite the health and legal ramifications, Purdue has only released the names of about 150 doctors to authorities.

L.A. Times reporter Scott Glover joins the show with more.