CT-GOV: In 2002, Warmington (D) worked as lobbyist for Perdue Pharma
Jun. 12—CONCORD — Democratic candidate for governor Cinde Warmington said that as an executive councilor she has helped lead the effort to crack down on a surge in illegal fentanyl that has produced a spike in opioid overdose deaths.
"I'm running to finally tackle ... the fentanyl crisis in a real way," Warmington declared in her announcement video.
But while she was a health care lobbyist in 2002, Warmington defended Oxycontin, the brand name for oxycodone, as a "miracle drug" that had been "abused in the press."
"Oxycontin is a miracle drug for many patients, and that's why it has been so popular. That's why it is used so much because it has very few side effects, and it is able to address patient's pain," Warmington told a state Senate committee in April 2002.
It was later revealed that over the past two decades, physicians prescribed oxycodone too often and too easily, resulting in many patients becoming addicted to the opioid.
As a result, Purdue Pharma settled with numerous states who sued the company over its deceptive marketing practices, including New Hampshire.
Warmington issued a statement last week that said: "My record over the past 20 years — serving on multiple community substance abuse treatment program boards, being a leading voice on the Executive Council for cracking down on fentanyl and the drug crisis, and fighting to expand treatment options and mental health resources — shows my dedication to finally tackle the mental health crisis and fentanyl crisis as governor so that families can access the help they need."
https://news.yahoo.com/2002-warmington-worked-lobbyist-big-035900652.html