ST. LOUIS, May 23, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals (NYSE: MNK), a leading global specialty biopharmaceutical company, today announced that it has purchased and donated 250,000 drug deactivation systems to ACT Missouri to provide patients and caregivers a secure, convenient, and environmentally safe way to dispose of unused medications.
The pouch-based systems deactivate prescription drugs and render chemical compounds safe for landfills. They will be distributed through the Missouri Substance Abuse Prevention Network; ACT Missouri facilitates this group of prevention leaders representing 160 community coalitions across the state. Coalitions will work with groups such as educators, pharmacies, law enforcement and mental health providers to distribute the systems.
"With Mallinckrodt's support, we can further our mission to serve as the statewide prevention catalyst, empowering individuals and fostering partnerships to promote safe, healthy, and drug-free communities," said Chuck Daugherty, Executive Director of ACT Missouri. "This partnership will help ensure the safe use and proper disposal of prescription medications for Missouri families."
Today, prescription drug abuse is the fastest-growing U.S. drug problem, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Reports indicate that 72 percent of patients who were prescribed opioids had leftover amounts,1 and more than 70 percent of those who abused prescription pain relievers got them from friends or relatives.2
"As a company that is focused on patients, Mallinckrodt is dedicated to providing safe and effective medications for treatment of pain, and is equally committed to working with policy makers, community leaders, law enforcement and industry partners to address the complex issues of opioid addiction and abuse," said Mark Trudeau, President and Chief Executive Officer of Mallinckrodt. "We all play an important role in ensuring responsible use of pain medication. This partnership with ACT Missouri illustrates how working together can help prevent unused medications from ending up in the wrong hands."
ACT Missouri is a private not-for-profit established to reduce substance abuse throughout the state. ACT Missouri houses the Statewide Training and Resource Center to help community groups improve strategies to keep youth drug-free as well as offers prevention education and awareness, public policy and advocacy support, media campaign and fiscal management consultation.
Mallinckrodt collaborates with policy champions and community leaders who share its goal of building public awareness of the critical role of responsible drug disposal in the fight against prescription drug abuse. The company has also strongly advocated for a prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP) in Missouri, which remains the lone state without such a program. An integral part of Mallinckrodt's long-term vision is to invest in and expand the use of opioid abuse-deterrent technology. The company supports development of tamper-resistant/abuse-deterrent technologies and regulatory standards that support the adoption of these technologies.
Other elements of a comprehensive effort to address opioid abuse and misuse include:
- Improving integration of federal and state PDMPs and efforts;
- Developing and sharing best practices for monitoring suspicious orders, both at the manufacturing and supply chain stages – an area where Mallinckrodt is an industry leader;
- Improving stakeholder education for patients, providers and the public at large, including education initiatives validated by measurable outcomes; and
- Enhancing drug take-back and addiction rehabilitation programs.
Mallinckrodt has made past donations of 200,000-plus pouches to organizations such as The Jed Foundation and CADCA (Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America). These deactivation systems are manufactured by Minneapolis-based Verde Technologies.
ABOUT MALLINCKRODT
Mallinckrodt is a global business that develops, manufactures, markets and distributes specialty pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical products and therapies, as well as nuclear imaging products. Areas of focus include autoimmune and rare diseases in specialty areas like neurology, rheumatology, nephrology and pulmonology; immunotherapy and neonatal respiratory critical care therapies; analgesics and hemostasis products; and central nervous system drugs. The company's core strengths include the acquisition and management of highly regulated raw materials and specialized chemistry, formulation and manufacturing capabilities. The company's Specialty Brands segment includes branded medicines; its Specialty Generics segment includes specialty generic drugs, active pharmaceutical ingredients and external manufacturing; and the Nuclear Imaging segment includes nuclear imaging agents. To learn more about Mallinckrodt, visit http://www.mallinckrodt.com/.
Mallinckrodt uses its website as a channel of distribution of important company information, such as press releases, investor presentations and other financial information. It also uses its website to expedite public access to time-critical information regarding the company in advance of or in lieu of distributing a press release or a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) disclosing the same information. Therefore, investors should look to the Investor Relations page of the website for important and time-critical information. Visitors to the website can also register to receive automatic e-mail and other notifications alerting them when new information is made available on the Investor Relations page of the website.
CONTACTS
Media
Rhonda Sciarra
Senior Communications Manager
314-654-8618
rhonda.sciarra@mallinckrodt.com
Meredith Fischer
Senior Vice President, Communications and Public Affairs
314-654-3318
meredith.fischer@mallinckrodt.com
Government Affairs
Mark Tyndall
Vice President, Government Affairs
202-383-0090
mark.tyndall@mallinckrodt.com
Investor Relations
Coleman N. Lannum, CFA
Senior Vice President, Investor Strategy and IRO
314-654-6649
cole.lannum@mallinckrodt.com
1 Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. Vol. 59, No. 6, United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Feb 19, 2010.
2 2009 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH): National Findings, SAMHSA (2010).
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SOURCE Mallinckrodt plc
