A former senior U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration official is now a paid adviser to OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma, which is facing numerous lawsuits for its alleged role in fueling the opioid epidemic, according to NBC News.
Demetra Ashley, the former acting assistant administrator of the DEA, has previously testified before Congress on the government's efforts to stop the nationwide opioid crisis.
Purdue Pharma is one of the opioid companies being sued by more than 1,600 cities and counties for misleading physicians and patients about the risks of using opioid painkillers long term. Many of the lawsuits have been consolidated into one case in Cleveland.
Purdue Pharma denies the allegations.
Ms. Ashley spent three decades at the DEA specializing in preventing the diversion of drugs like OxyContin.
"I have been consulting for members of the industry, and I began my consulting business in June 2018 after I retired," Ms. Ashley told NBC News.
Purdue Pharma declined NBC News' request for comment.