Robert Rappaport, MD,

The corrupt behavior of the FDA’s employees is begging for an investigation.

Marianne Skolek Global News Centre

(MYRTLE BEACH)  On November 10, 2014 I wrote an article for Global News Centre regarding Robert Rappaport, MD, Division Director of Anesthesia, Analgesia and Addiction Products retirement from the FDA http://www.globalnewscentre.com/bob-rappaport-md-division-director-of-anesthesia-analgesia-and-addiction-products-at-fda-retires/#sthash.oHFov3R7.dpbs.  One of Dr. Rappaport’s biggest “contributions” to the American people before the FDA announced his retirement was approval of an opioid called Zohydro ER.  Zohydro ER was the first hydrocodone-only opioid in doses of 5 to 10 times more heroin-like narcotic than Vicodin.  The FDA disregarded their own Advisory Committee who voted 11-2 not to approve the opioid because of the Committee’s concerns about the potential impact on public health. How could the FDA approve Zohydro ER when there is no abuse deterrent built into the drug so when it is crushed, chewed or mixed with alcohol — the high probability of death exists? Didn’t the FDA violate their own directive that opioids would only be approved by them if there were a built-in abuse preventative in the drug?

Dr. Rappaport was quoted as saying the FDA did not want to be seen as “punishing this company (Zogenix) and this drug (Zohydro ER) because of the sins of other companies and their product.”

In my article dated November 10, 2014, I wrote “Somehow I don’t think Dr. Rappaport will be spending his “retirement” gardening. Time will tell if he will have a corner office in the pharmaceutical industry — wearing his gold watch from the FDA.”

I didn’t have to wait long to discover that Rappaport will be working for Scilex Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Malvern, PA on its Scientific Advisory Board.  Scilex is a pharmaceutical company engaged in the development and commercialization of products focused on the treatment of pain.

I believe the FDA has a “conflict of interest” policy applying to employees of the agency becoming employed or consultants to private pharmaceutical companies after leaving the FDA.  The policy may have slipped Rappaport’s mind.

Years ago, the FDA employed Curtis Wright, MD who was instrumental in approving Purdue Pharma’s dangerous opioid, OxyContin.  Shortly after OxyContin hit the market, Dr. Wright hit the road to work for Purdue Pharma — violating the FDA “conflict of interest” policy. Subsequently, Purdue Pharma cut Wright free from his lucrative position with them.

What is more disturbing to me is the fact that Dr. Rappaport founded his own company called “Analgesic Concepts LLC” while employed by the FDA and as he was approving dangerous opioids such as Zohydro.  The information for Analgesic Concepts is shown here:

Company Name: ANALGESIC CONCEPTS LLC File Number: S530388-0 Filing State: Virginia (VA) Filing Status: 00 Active Filing Date: October 31, 2014 Company Age: 1 Year 7 Months Registered Agent: Bob A. Rappaport 3219 N. Glebe Rd. Arlington, VA 22207-0000 Principal Address: 3219 N. Glebe Rd. Arlington, VA 22207-0000

Even though Rappaport did not file his company as an LLC until a month following his retirement from the FDA, Analgesic Concepts LLC was in existence for one year and seven months — while he was employed by the FDA, being paid by the FDA and approving dangerous opioids for the FDA.  The “principal address” for Analgesic Concepts LLC is a rather palatial home in Arlington, Virginia now on the market for $1.4 million.  In fact, there was just an open house this past weekend at the now unoccupied “corporate headquarters” of Rappaport’s company.

It appears working for the FDA is not only a lucrative paying agency, but the corrupt behavior of its key employees is begging for an investigation.  Maybe Dr. Rappaport was not aware that we have a prescription opioid/heroin epidemic devastating the U.S. as he “multi-tasked” financially from his business endeavors while working for the FDA.  If you believe that Rappaport was unaware, I have an open house in Virginia you may be interested in seeing — if you have $1.4 million and no conscience.

Next week — Is the word “corrupt” synonymous with the names Robert Califf, MD, current FDA commissioner and Margaret Hamburg, MD, immediate past FDA commissioner?

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Global News Centre’s Marianne Skolek, is an Investigative Reporter who focuses on the Prescription Opioid/Heroin Epidemic in the U.S. and Canada. In particular, Marianne has covered the criminal marketing of OxyContin going back to 1999 and continuing to the present.

In 2002, Marianne lost her daughter, Jill to prescribed OxyContin which her physician referred to as “mobility in a bottle.” It was, in fact, death in a bottle. After doing extensive research on the maker of OxyContin, Purdue Pharma, Marianne began working with the Department of Justice in Virginia in their criminal investigation into Purdue Pharma and in July 2007 was asked by the U.S. Attorney John Brownlee prosecuting the case to testify against the three CEO’s of Purdue Pharma, Michael Friedman, Paul Goldenheim, MD and Howard Udell, Chief Counsel. The CEO’s pleaded guilty to misleading the medical profession about the dangers of OxyContin. Marianne also testified against Purdue Pharma at a Judiciary Hearing of the U.S. Senate in July 2007.

In addition, a dangerous and highly addictive opioid named Zohydro has been approved by the FDA against their Advisory Committee’s advice and Marianne continues to alert Attorneys General, Senators and Congressmen as to the FDA’s irresponsibility in the out of control prescription opioid/heroin epidemic killing and addicting in the tens of thousands each year. Zohydro has been referred to as “heroin in a capsule” and its lowest dosage (10mg) contains twice as much hydrocodone as found in a Vicodin pill. The highest single dose of Zohydro contains as much hydrocodone as 5 to 10 tablets of Vicodin or Lortab. Zohydro mixed with alcohol can be fatal and has no abuse deterrent built in which will make it easy to crush and deliver a fatal dose of the opioid.

Currently Marianne has been instrumental in calling for the termination of Margaret Hamburg, MD, Commissioner of the FDA as well as Bob A. Rappaport, MD and Douglas Throckmorton, MD for their lack of commitment to safeguarding the American public against the prescription opioid/heroin epidemic. Marianne’s research, writing and contact with government agencies and attorneys has also exposed the heavily funded pain foundations set up by the pharmaceutical industry and their paid physician spokespersons who convinced the medical boards in 50 states and Canada that dangerous opioids such as OxyContin were less likely to be addictive. These physicians — in particular Scott Fishman, MD, J. David Haddox, DDS, MD, Perry Fine, MD, Lynn R. Webster, MD, Russell Portenoy, MD also downplayed the risks of addictive opioids in books as authors. These books are still available for sale and promoted to the medical profession.

Here are links to Marianne’s involvement in exposing the national conspiracy of the prescription opioid/heroin epidemic, the FDA, the pharmaceutical industry, their pain foundations and paid physician spokespersons.

http://www.salem-news.com/by_author.php?reporter=Marianne%20Skolek

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tmPG1VjD61U&list=UUWoHUEr4ZAbQOfIqtOArjgg&index=6&feature=plcp

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=855537227796352&set=vb.658186307531446&type=2&theater