Purdue execs plead guilty to OxyContin fraud

According to The New York Times, the parent company of Purdue Pharma has agreed to pay more than $600 million in fines to resolve claims that it fraudulently marketed OxyContin as a painkiller less prone to abuse with fewer side effects. In addition, three current and former executives of Purdue, including its president, have agreed to plead guilty to criminal charges of misbranding the drug. Federal officials told The New York Times that Purdue executives admitted that sales people were allowed to come up with their own fake scientific charts to back up false assertions that the drug was less prone to abuse than competitors on the market. Company President Michael Friedman has agreed to pay a $19 million fine, attorney Howard Udell will pay $8 million and former medical director Dr. Paul Goldenheim will pay $7.5 million.

- read the New York Times report on the plea deal

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