https://kfor.com/2019/06/13/defense-questions-key-witness-for-state-in-opioid-trial/
NORMAN, Okla. — A key witness in the ongoing trial against the nation’s largest drugmaker described the company as the “kingpin” in the state’s opioid crisis.
Dr. Andrew Kolodny, co-director of opioid policy research at Brandeis University, testified Thursday he believed Johnson & Johnson was a “major cause” of the epidemic. The company is being sued by the state of Oklahoma, accused of fueling the opioid epidemic through deceptive marketing and downplaying the risks of addiction.
“In 2007, when Purdue Pharma was convicted criminally of claiming that OxyContin was less addictive because of its extended release formulation, Johnson & Johnson continued to sell opium and oxycodone to Purdue Pharma and continued to do exactly what Purdue Pharma was convicted criminally of doing,” Kolodny said. “It was Johnson & Johnson’s opium that flooded into the United States.”
He added the company then continued to promote their own products as having “lower abuse potential.”
Kolodny first took the stand on Tuesday after the state presented him as an expert witness, but defense attorneys objected to him being considered an expert on the subject. They argued Kolodny was not qualified to testify on the cause of the epidemic because his research primarily relies on correlation, not causation.
“Those are different things,” attorney Michael Yoder stated.
On Thursday, the defense continued to build their argument that Kolodny has not provided any evidence showing addiction or deaths in Oklahoma were actually caused by a doctor misled into prescribing their drugs.
Yoder: “You have some strongly held personal opinions. I’m not asking what they are right now. I’m just asking you if you agree that there are strongly held opinions.”
Dr. Kolodny: “Yes, I would imagine I would have some strongly held opinions.”
The trial continues on Friday.
Filed under: General Problems
I wish someone in the know could tell attorney Michael Yoder that A. Kolodny is a recovering alcoholic psychiatrist from Brandeis with no patients. When he went through rehab he saw a nice ” moneymaker Addiction Treatment Centers costing between $30,000 to $100,000, and decided to open and direct The Phoenix House, a huge chain in 9 states that receive millions in Federal grants! They are also a joke, drugs run rampant no certified counselors— Google it!
He, single-handedly has created genocide in America and turned us into Hitler’s Germany and the DEA is the GESTAPO!
Someone needs to correct the title on this article. “AK” is the abbreviation for the State of Alaska, “OK” is the abbreviation for the State of Oklahoma, and the one that should be used in the title.
I am not being “picky” in pointing this out. I am 74, reside in Alaska, and suffer from a painful poly-neuropathy. When I read the article title, I thought it might relate to why my pain doctor/clinic (https://www.aapain.com) has recently put me on a 80% Forced Reduction (FR) of my pain meds w/o any medical reason; a reduction from a dosage I was stable on. The information I got from the doctor is that he was told to do it if he wanted to keep his job. Also, he said the clinic was told to do this if they wanted to stay in business. I did not agree to this FR and with the recent statements on not doing FRs without the patient’s consent from the AMA, the CDC, and the FDA, this FR borders on the “illegal” and could also be considered malpractice. I also wonder if it is violating the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) as the clinic/doctor is essentially with holding services from a person with a disability (i.e., me). I am depressed that this is being done to me for no medical reason other than “someone on high” is doing a CYA to force me to 90 MMEs and has even threatened the clinic if they do not implement my FR to the 90 MME level.
I could use some advice on how to proceed with fighting this; because, if I don’t fight this “illegal” act, I will quickly become bed ridden with no pain relief and no sleep. That will lead to other life threatening maladies. It will also lead to major clinical depression that will put me in a suicidal mode.
Any replies/help/suggestions are most welcome. Thank you.
Since who “told the clinic” that all pts have to have their opiates reduced ? Whoever it is .. they are the source of “pt/senior abuse” which is easier to prove in court than malpractice. Likewise if it is the employer of the prescriber, then dozen or hundreds of other pts are in the same boat as you are… Which could increase the interest of a civil rights attorney .. seeking restitution under violation of the ADA.
Maybe whomever used A.K.,,,did so to avoid this as–ole coming back at him ??As far as a lawsuit,,.,these jerks are violating at least 20 constitutional amendments,,the ADA,,the DOI,,,,,they are breaking the ;laws,,,at least 25,,,,this country was founded on,,,but the JUDGES ARE ALSO CORRUPT,,, the ACLU,, might as well close it doors,,,see politicians can donate in their private names,,,,thus,,,paying off the ACLU,,,
As far as these protest,,,GOD I WAS I HAD THE MONIES TO GO TO EVERYONE,,,,,,I WOULD BE CALLING THIS MURDER OUT FOR EVERYTHING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!,,,YES,,JMO,,I FIRMLY BELIEVE 1 ANDREW KOLODNY IS A TORTURER,,,CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY,,GENOCIDER,,AND A MURDERER,,,,AND I WOULD HAVE NO FEAR IN SAYEN IT DIRECTLY TO HIS FACE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!MARYW