Judge orders Oxycontin documents released at STAT request

A Kentucky judge has ordered the release of documents showing how Oxycontin has been marketed after health news site STAT requested them, reports David Armstrong of STAT.

Armstrong writes, “‘The national opioid epidemic is killing 30,000 people a year, and we are pleased that the court moved so swiftly to bring to light records that can inform the public’s understanding of Purdue’s role in this crisis,’ said Rick Berke, STAT’s executive editor. ‘We see pursuit of this story as integral to STAT’s central mission to hold institutions and individuals accountable.’

“Purdue’s chief litigation counsel, Richard Silbert, said in a statement, ‘We look forward to appealing this ruling.’

“Combs said several factors weighed in favor of disclosing the records, including the fact that the state of Kentucky received $24 million from Purdue last December to settle its 2007 lawsuit against the company over the allegedly illegal promotion of OxyContin.

“‘The public interest in accessing the materials used to make the decision to settle is more than minimal,’ he wrote. Combs added that the material sought by STAT may have played a role in the decision to settle, and therefore ‘militates in favor of public access.'”

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