Content about Oxycodone

STAMFORD, Conn. — Purdue Pharma has launched a new website designed to combat abuse of prescription drugs, the company said Wednesday.

The website, RxSafetyMatters.org, is designed to help healthcare professionals, police and community organizations combat prescription drug diversion and abuse. Purdue is the developer of OxyContin (oxycodone), an extended-release painkiller that is frequently a target of drug abusers.

NEW YORK — The Food and Drug Administration has declined to approve an investigative painkiller made by Pfizer, the drug maker said Friday.

The FDA issued a complete response letter for Remoxy (oxycodone) extended-release capsules, which Pfizer is developing under a partnership with Pain Therapeutics. Pain Therapeutics originally developed the drug using Durect’s Oradur technology, which is designed to prevent tampering by drug abusers, in collaboration with King Pharmaceuticals. Pfizer took control of development of the drug when it acquired King in February.

PITTSBURGH — Mylan has launched a generic version of an opioid painkiller, the company said Wednesday.

Mylan announced the launch of oxycodone hydrochloride tablets in the 5-mg, 15-mg and 30-mg strengths. Mylan is launching the drug under a development and supply agreement with Coastal Pharmaceuticals.

The drug is a generic version of Xanodyne’s Roxicodone, a treatment for moderate to severe pain. Oxycodone hydrochloride tablets had sales of about $325 million during the 12-month period ended in March, according to IMS Health.

HAYWARD, Calif. — Another generic drug maker is seeking to market its version of a popular opioid painkiller.

Impax said it had filed applications with the Food and Drug Administration seeking approval for a generic version of Purdue Pharma’s Oxycontin (oxycodone) controlled-release tablets in the 10-, 15-, 20-, 30-, 40-, 60- and 80-mg strengths.

Purdue filed suit against Impax on April 8 in the U.S. District Courts for the Southern District of New York, seeking to prevent Impax from marketing its version before the expiration of Purdue's patents.

STAMFORD, Conn. — Drug maker Purdue Pharma is giving a $1 million grant to the state of Florida to help fund the state’s prescription drug monitoring program, the company said Wednesday.

Purdue said the program was designed to combat illegal diversion and abuse of prescription drugs. Purdue is the maker of OxyContin (oxycodone), an extended-release opioid painkiller that often is a target of abuse.

CUPERTINO, Calif. — The Food and Drug Administration has accepted a regulatory approval application for a pain drug that it previously had declined to approve.

Durect announced Thursday that the FDA had accepted a resubmitted application by King Pharmaceuticals for Remoxy (oxycodone), a controlled-release painkiller designed to reduce the risks of misuse. King and Pain Therapeutics are developing the drug using Durect’s drug-delivery technology.

BRISTOL, Tenn. — Drug makers King Pharmaceuticals and Acura Pharmaceuticals have submitted a regulatory approval application to the Food and Drug Administration for an opioid pain reliever.

The two drug makers announced Tuesday the submission for Acurox (oxycodone hydrochloride), an immediate-release tablet for relief of moderate to severe pain.

The tablets use Acura’s aversion technology, designed to deter abuse of the drug by dissolving or crushing the pills.

CHARLESTON, S.C. Drug maker Purdue Pharma has donated $200,000 to the National Association of State Controlled Substances Authorities to address the abuse of prescription drugs, NASCSA said Tuesday.

The grant, presented at the group’s annual conference in Charleston, S.C., is designed to support state prescription drug monitoring programs. The NASCSA will be in charge of distributing the money to state agencies. Purdue is the maker of OxyContin (oxycodone), a commonly abused prescription opioid painkiller.

SAN DIEGO The U.S. drug market will present opportunities as well as uncertainties over the next decade, according to remarks made by IMS Health VP industry relations Doug Long at the National Association of Chain Drug Stores’ 2010 Pharmacy and Technology Conference held here on Monday.