Purdue Pharma announced today that OxyContin (oxycodone hydrochloride controlled-release) tablets distributed in Mexico, South America and Canada will now carry unique markings. The effort is intended to assist law enforcement in identifying the source of diverted medication seized within the United States.

OxyContin tablets have markings (or indicia) etched on each side of the tablet. One side bears the letters "OC" and the other carries a number (e.g., 10, 20, 40, 80) that indicates the tablet's dosage strength in milligrams. Now, the tablets distributed in Mexico and South America will be marked with "EX" indicia and tablets distributed in Canada will carry "CDN" indicia. Tablets distributed in the U.S. will continue to carry the "OC" indicia. Shipment of the tablets with the new indicia to Mexico began in October and to Canada in July.

In addition to prescription fraud and doctor shopping, movement across U.S. borders has been identified by law enforcement as a significant source of unauthorized prescription medicine in the U.S.

"If U.S. law enforcement officials seize tablets that carry the Mexican or Canadian markings, it can help them take appropriate steps to track and shut down the source of diversion," according to Landon Gibbs, law enforcement liaison with Purdue Pharma. A 29-year police veteran and former Assistant Special Agent in charge of the Virginia State Police, Mr. Gibbs joined Purdue in August 2001 to help supervise the company's work with law enforcement officials to curb diversion of prescription drugs.

This effort is part of a multi-faceted plan developed by Purdue Pharma to reduce prescription abuse, while ensuring that legitimate patients continue to have access to the medications they need. Other elements of the program include educational programs and materials that teach healthcare professionals about proper pain management and how to recognize and reduce prescription drug diversion, offering free tamper-resistant prescription pads to help curb prescription fraud, and an educational program alerting teenagers and pre-teens about the dangers of prescription drug abuse. Purdue Pharma has also committed over $50 million to research into the development of abuse-resistant pain medications.

The professional product labeling for OxyContin Tablets contains the following boxed warning:

OxyContin is an opioid agonist and a Schedule II controlled substance with an abuse liability similar to morphine.

Oxycodone can be abused in a manner similar to other opioid agonists, legal or illicit. This should be considered when prescribing or dispensing OxyContin in situations where the physician or pharmacist is concerned about an increased risk of misuse, abuse, or diversion.

OxyContin Tablets are a controlled-release oral formulation of oxycodone hydrochloride indicated for the management of moderate to severe pain when a continuous, around-the-clock analgesic is needed for an extended period of time.

OxyContin Tablets are NOT intended for use as a prn analgesic.

OxyContin 80 mg and 160 mg Tablets are for use in opioid-tolerant patients only. These tablet strengths may cause fatal respiratory depression when administered to patients not previously exposed to opioids.

OxyContin tablets are to be swallowed whole and are not to be broken, chewed, or crushed. Taking broken, chewed, or crushed oxycontin tablets leads to rapid release and absorption of a potentially fatal dose of oxycodone.