Confessions of a Pharma Rep

Our site has become a bit of a “watchdog” site, but we We are not nearly as anti Pharma as you might think.

We believe that the pharmaceutical industry is driven by researchers, doctors, and scientists who are dedicated to saving lives and increasing the quality of life.

Still, there is a dark side to the equation, which is highlighted in this video called “Confessions of a Pharma Rep.”  This woman who is a veteran of the pharmaceutical industry talks about some really poor practices through which the pharma industry has earned a bad reputation for.

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CVS Blacklists Florida Doctors Who Write Too Many Painkiller Prescriptions

In a move that could set a nationwide precedent, CVS recently sent letters to a group of high-prescribing Florida doctors advising them that the company’s pharmacies will no longer fill their prescriptions for painkillers and other dangerous drugs.  According to the Orlando Sentinel, the action has been described as blacklisting by some of the doctors and at least one doctor who received a letter has responded with legal action against CVS.

In a prepared statement, CVS stated that it informed a small group of Florida doctors that their prescriptions for Schedule II narcotics will no longer be filled.  The company was not specific about how many doctors have been notified but stated that the action was taken in the interest of keeping controlled substances out of the wrong hands and preventing drug abuse.  CVS operates more than 700 pharmacies in …

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Second Drug Company Commits to Addictive TD Hydrocodone Painkiller

A second drug company has announced plans to market a powerful new form of hydrocodone.  Teva Pharmaceuticals, based in Israel, is predicting that sales of its TD Hydrocone could increase its revenue by up to $500 million within one or two years. Teva is joining San Diego based Zogenix who are planning to launch the drug under the brand name Zohydro.

The new super painkiller will contain more than four times the amount of hydrocodone found in a single Vicodin tablet.  Many experts fear that competition between pharmaceutical makers to get the powerful new drug to the market will add to the nation’s prescription drug abuse epidemic.  There is also concern about lawmakers that this new drug could create a new class of drug abusers and fuel the prescription drug black market.
According to Teva, TD Hydrocodone contains a 12-hour …

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Addictive Painkillers Bring Crime to the Corner Pharmacy

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration has reported that armed robberies of pharmacies across the nation increased 51% between 2006 and 2010.  According to DEA spokesperson Rusty Payne, addiction to prescription drugs like DEA has fueled the surge in drug store crimes.  The desire to obtain drugs by people who are addicted and by drug dealers who traffic in black market pharmaceuticals has brought violent crime to the corner drug store.  In some cases, pharmacists are arming themselves with guns.

MSNBC reports that pharmacy thieves are overwhelmingly targeting oxycodone painkillers like OxyContin and Roxicodone and hydrocone-based pain pills like Vicodin and Norco.  Both oxycodone and hydrocodone are highly addictive.
Although most drug store robbers don’t hurt anyone during the commission of their crime, the risk of violence seems to be increasing.  These are some of the more shocking pharmacy crimes of …

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California Doctor known as “Candy Man” Arrested for Drug Trafficking

It appears that yet another doctor has placed the desire to make money by trafficking in prescription painkillers like OxyContin above the welfare of his patients.  Dr. Julio Diaz, a Santa Barbara physician who has been linked to at least a dozen drug overdose deaths in recent years, was recently taken into custody at his home by local police and federal authorities from the DEA.  The charges against him include felony drug trafficking. The 63-year-old doctor had been the subject of an ongoing investigation for allegedly prescribing addictive prescription medication to patients who had no medical need for the drugs.  He was known on the street as “Candy Man” because he had a reputation for freely dispensing prescription drugs.  His reputation was so widespread that people drove hundreds of miles to his Family Medical Clinic to obtain drugs.  An…
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Painkiller Advocacy Group has Ties to Drugmakers

The American Pain Foundation (APF) describes itself as an advocacy organization for patient pain relief. The non-profit foundation promotes the message that the threat of addiction to prescription painkillers has been exaggerated and pain medication is underused. A non-profit news organization named ProPublica has investigated the American Pain Foundation and found that almost 90% of the group’s $5 million in funding in 2010 came from pharmaceutical companies. One of these companies is Purdue Pharma, maker of OxyContin.

The views promoted by APF are in contrast to reports from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that more than 15,000 people die each year from overdoses of opioid painkillers like OxyContin. The CDC has called the painkiller situation an epidemic and a growing group of experts question the effectiveness of these drugs.

Although Will Rowe, chief executive of the APF, …

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Overtaken – Unbelievably Powerful Documentary Now Online

This documentary is the kind of project that embodies what our website is all about.

The movie “Overtaken” is a tour de force that will shock viewers into contemplating drug use and it’s effect on society.  As we  meet charming teen after teen who discuss how drugs derailed their lives, the viewer cannot help but feel moved and outraged that not more awareness is being given to this epidemic.

We started StopOxy in 2009 to bring awareness to the OxyContin epidemic.  To see such a stirring portrayal of the effects of drug use on teens gives us hope that the message will be heard and that change is in the works.

We feel that everyone – from teens to grandparents – should see this film.  Anyone who comes in contact with an at risk teen has the chance to help …

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