Purdue Pharma L.P., is a privately-held pharmaceutical company founded by physicians and now located in Stamford, Connecticut. In its early years, Purdue was known for its antiseptic product, Betadine Solution, and its Senokot laxatives. Today, it is best known for its pain-treatment products, MS Contin Tablets and OxyContin Tablets, but it has also branched into other areas such as oncology and nutraceuticals.
History
Purdue was founded by Dr. John Purdue Gray and George Frederick Bingham in 1892 in New York City. It came under new private ownership in 1952 when it merged with a company owned by Arthur M. Sackler and Raymond Sackler LTR Pharmaceutical . It currently employs about 1,350 people.[1]
Structure
The company's different branches include Purdue Pharma L.P., The Purdue Frederick Company, Purdue Pharmaceutical Products L.P., and Purdue Products L.P.
The company's manufacturing takes place at three different sites, which include: Purdue Pharmaceuticals L.P., a plant located in Wilson, North Carolina; The P.F. Laboratories Inc. in Totowa, New Jersey; and Rhodes Technologies L.P. in Coventry, Rhode Island. Purdue Pharma L.P. also has research labs located in Cranbury, New Jersey. OxyContin is currently distributed throughout the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. Distribution takes place from the P.F. Laboratories Inc. in Totowa, New Jersey.
Oxycontin-related lawsuits
Purdue has been involved in measures against prescription drug abuse, particularly of its well known Oxycontin brand. In 2001, Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal issued a statement urging Purdue to take action regarding abuse of Oxycontin. Blumenthal noted that while Purdue seemed sincere, there was little action being taken beyond "cosmetic and symbolic steps."[2] After Purdue announced plans to reformulate the drug, Blumenthal noted that this would take time, and that "Purdue Pharma has a moral, if not legal, obligation to take effective steps now that address addiction and abuse even as it works to reformulate the drug."[3] The company has since implemented a comprehensive program designed to assist in detection of the illegal trafficking and abuse of prescription drugs without compromising patient access to proper pain control.[citation needed]
In May 2007, the company pleaded guilty to misleading the public about Oxycontin's risk of addiction, and agreed to pay $600 million. Its president, top lawyer, and former chief medical officer pleaded guilty as individuals to misbranding charges, a criminal violation, and agreed to pay a total of $34.5 million in fines. [4][5] In addition three top executives were charged with a felony and sentenced to 400 hours of community service in drug treatment programs.[6]
On October 4, 2007 Kentucky officials sued Purdue because of widespread Oxycontin abuse in Appalachia. A lawsuit filed by Kentucky Attorney General Greg Stumbo and Pike County officials demands millions in compensation from drug maker Purdue Pharma.[7]
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