Author of "Pain Killer" expose presents 2nd distinguished VCU Life Sciences lecture

By Pamela DiSalvo Lepley

Award-winning New York Times journalist Barry Meier, author of the expos' "Pain Killer: A Wonder Drug's Trail of Addiction and Death," will present the 2nd Distinguished VCU Life Sciences Lecture at 4 p.m., Tuesday, April 6, at the Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center, Medical Sciences Building Auditorium, 1217 E. Marshall St., Richmond.  

Meier's topic will be, "Pain Killer: The Nexus of Science, Medicine, Journalism and Business."  Meier is an investigative reporter who specializes in issues related to public health, business and the law.  A series of investigative reports led to "Pain Killer," which explores the troubling issues raised by OxyContin, a narcotic originally manufactured for cancer patients and chronic pain sufferers. Meier broke the story of what has been called the unleashing of a public health crisis and takes a critical look at the treatment of pain, prescription drug abuse and the consequences of drug industry marketing. 

Meier is a two-time Pulitzer Prize nominee and a 2002 George Polk award winner for outstanding journalism.  Prior to joining the New York Times, he was a reporter for the Wall Street Journal and a special projects reporter for New York Newsday.  Over a 20-year-career, his articles have resulted in congressional hearings and changes in federal laws and regulations.

The lecture is sponsored by the VCU Institute for Drug and Alcohol Studies, the VCU School of Mass Communications and the New York Times.  The lecture is free and open to the public.

Meier originally was scheduled to present the lecture in January, but the event was postponed because of inclement weather.