Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Ouch—Doc's Trial Highlights Pain Issues

Was he trafficking narcotics or treating chronic pain?

By Colleen Barry,  Newser Staff

Posted Apr 24, 2007 2:30 PM CDT

(Newser) – The drug-trafficking trial of a Virginia pain specialist demonstrates the slippery slope between treating chronic conditions and enabling addicts. Dr. William Hurwitz's jury heard the story of a patient with deblitating migraines who had been treated with anxiety medication that actually caused headaches—by another doctor who happened to be an expert  witness for the prosecution.

Not until she went to Hurwitz, who  prescribed high-dose opioids, was she able to function again. Many doctors are reluctant to prescribe the highest doses of opioids like OxyContin because they're open to prosecution if they're tricked by addicts, as Hurwitz admits he was. "I felt that I had a duty to the patients," he said.

Gavel
Gavel   (Getty Images)
Investigators say addicts mash the OxyContin pills to snort the powder or turn the drug into liquid form so that it can injected intravenously.
Investigators say addicts mash the OxyContin pills to snort the powder or turn the drug into liquid form so that it can injected intravenously.   (KRT Photos)
Gavel
Gavel   (Archive Photos)
Gavel
Gavel   (Getty Images)
Gavel
Gavel   (Getty Images)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Be the first to comment on this story.

More Newser Stories

Generics Curb Rise in Drug Costs

New Studies Give Hope to Parkinson's Patients

Bloodthinner Can Help Frostbite Victims

New Drug Battles Liver Cancer

Psych Drugs Drove Kid Crazy


NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne