We have shown that propoxyphene (DXP) existed for more than 40 years before the other opiates. 1,985,000 kg of DXP was consumed and approximately 165,000 died from overdoses. The drug authorities ignored our data, as did the media

I now want to tell you how, for several years, the authorities and journalists in the United States have said and written about the so-called opioid crisis - which they also call the worst ever in the country's history. I should not be long-winded in any way, I should be as simple and straightforward as it is only possible, I should be so straightforward if it just goes so that the youngest child understands what I say and mean.

Three painkillers - Codeine, Methadone and Fentanyl - were introduced on the US market in 1996.

Two years later - ie in 1999 - two more so-called opiates became available on the market, these preparations were Oxycodone and Hydrocodone.

After a few years, "all" US authorities and "all" journalists - who were somehow interested in these painkillers - announced that the country was now suffering the worst opioid epidemic the country had ever seen.

The first table showing the ravages of the epidemic began in 1999 and it grew over the years and was updated annually.

If you look at my first table you will see that in 1996 there are three drugs - Codeine, Methadone and Fentanyl. In 1999, two new painkillers were added - Oxycodone and Hydrocodone.

When you study my second table you see that a brand new preparation namely Propoxyphene (DXP) is emerging. You also see that DXP was available for more than 40 years BEFORE the other opiates began to be used. DXP came our on the US market 1957 and was banned 2010, mainly thanks to us.

I can tell you that for some more than 40 years, 1,985,000 kg of DXP was consumed and we estimate that about 165,000 people died from DXP overdoses.

I have been in contact and cooperated with INCB (The International Narcotics Board) in Vienne since 2003. These data relate to the consumption of all kinds of drugs and their data on DXP I have combined with the forensic data we have produced and presented in 6 - 7 scientific articles and two dissertations. You can see that our data is fairly well documented.

Finally, I want to ask you, who do you believe in, the authorities or us? When did the real epidemic- “The propoxyphene Epidemic” started??

I think you, dear leader, are smarter than the authorities