Miranda sent a message to John C. Lechleiter Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Eli Lilly and Company Email Address that said:
Dear Mr. Lechleiter,
Are you aware that the latest data shows almost 80% of addicted persons start with a legally prescribed drug that they take? Being the CEO of a major pharmaceutical company, Iâd like to know your thoughts on how best to address the opioid epidemic in the United States.
Recently, my 18 and 21 year old sons had their wisdom teeth extracted. Both surgeries were uncomplicated and my sons needed minimal pain relief , and yet the doctor prescribed 20, 800 mgs of Ibuprofen, as well as 20 pills of a strong narcotic for each of my children. My boys experienced minimal pain post surgery, but for their temporary discomfort they opted to take the Ibuprofen instead of the narcotics, as they are well aware of the slippery-slope, opiod addiction process, that more often starts with ingesting prescribed drugs.
I am grateful for my sonsâ wisdom, but I am extremely disturbed by the careless and unnecessary distribution of these forty dangerous pills. One step I plan to take to ensure the safety of my sons and their entire generation, is to contact my stateâs Attorney General to report this particular doctor, and request that his prescribing practices be monitored.
Assuming you understand there is an escalating drug epidemic in the USA, I am eager to learn what steps you might be taking to ensure that lethal drugs, such as the ones Eli Lilly manufactures, stay out of the hands of vulnerable young people. I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Miranda
