Skip to main content
Image
Rep DeSaulnier in hearing

DeSaulnier and Cummings Request Subpoena for Internal DOJ Report Indicating Purdue Pharma Concealed Knowledge of OxyContin Abuses

July 2, 2018

Washington, DC – Today, Congressman Mark DeSaulnier and Ranking Member of the Oversight and Government Reform Committee Elijah E. Cummings sent a letter requesting that Chairman Trey Gowdy issue a subpoena to compel the Department of Justice (DOJ) to produce documents it is withholding related to an internal 2006 report that Purdue Pharma knew of significant abuses of its drug OxyContin shortly after it was brought to market in 1996.

"If this report is accurate, Purdue's actions demonstrate a stunning disregard for human life and the law. While Purdue Pharma made billions of dollars from OxyContin, thousands of Americans succumbed to addiction and its consequences," the Members wrote.

The 120-page report, obtained by the New York Times, reportedly indicates that Purdue Pharma knew OxyContin was highly addictive, but the company concealed this information and vehemently denied that it had knowledge of the growing illicit use until years after it had been on the market. Despite this deception, Purdue's top executives managed to effectively avoid any responsibility.

According to the New York Times, the 2006 DOJ report recommended the indictment of "three of Purdue's top executives…on felony charges, including conspiracy to defraud. However, the political appointees at the Department of Justice under then-President George W. Bush reportedly overturned the prosecutors' recommendations," the Members wrote.

On June 12, 2018, DeSaulnier and Cummings sent a letter to DOJ requesting that it produce this report by June 25, 2018. DOJ did not respond to this request.

A full copy of the letter to Chairman Gowdy can be found here.

Office Locations

503 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, DC  20515
Phone: (202) 225-2095
Fax: (202) 225-5609
4703 Lone Tree Way
Antioch, CA  94531
Phone: (925) 754-0716
Fax: (925) 754-0728
3100 Oak Road
Suite 110
Walnut Creek, CA  94597
Phone: (925) 933-2660
Fax: (925) 933-2677