VIRGINIA WORKING ON WAYS TO CURB PRESCRIPTION DRUG ABUSE

BRISTOL, Va. - Virginia Attorney General Mark Earley wants to make
OxyContin available to the patients who need it and make sure the
prescription drug does not end up in the wrong hands.

Earley spoke on the issue during a recent visit to Bristol, Va. Earley
was in the Twin Cities last week stumping for Bristol Virginia Police
Sgt. Kevin Corbett, who is running for sheriff of Bristol.

Earley discussed a summit that was held March 1 and attended by
attorneys general from states affected by OxyContin abuse, along with
state police and law enforcement officials.

"We met with the producer/manufacturer of OxyContin, Purdue Pharma,
which is located in Connecticut, and the purpose of that meeting was
to focus attention on this problem and to begin finding solutions to
it both from a law enforcement angle and as well as getting the drug
maker to help us with that," Earley said. "Several things came out as
a result of that meeting."

Earley said Virginia is forming a statewide task force to focus on
prescription drug abuse, specifically OxyContin.

"It's something I've talked to about with Sgt. Corbett if he becomes
sheriff, in participating with us in that effort," Earley said. "We'll
be announcing the members of that task force next week."

In addition, Earley said he will be heading a national task force of
attorneys general, and cooperation was agreed to by Purdue Pharma.

"They agreed to provide $100,000 for a research project at one of our
research institutions here in Virginia in order to fund a study of a
prescription monitoring control system," Earley said. "This would be a
system whereby if you are a pharmacist and I come to you to fill a
prescription on OxyContin, you can plug my name into a computer, and
it will show whether I have been to another pharmacy or another
pharmacist to have a similar prescription filled - and if so, when.

"Because part of the problem we have with prescription drug abuse is
people shopping for doctors in different states or regions and
shopping around at different pharmacies."

Purdue Pharma has also agreed to work with Virginia in developing an
educational program for health care professionals, Earley said.

"To talk about the nature of this drug and how to keep it out of the
hands of those who abuse it," Earley said. "This drug is a very, very
good and potent drug when used appropriately - one of the new wonder
drugs that we're able to have now because of advancement in
pharmacological studies."

OxyContin is used to treat severe cancer pain and has a sustained
time-release effect.

"When used appropriately for people who have black lung disease or
significant pain with cancer, it's great," Earley said. "When abused
it's deadly and highly addictive.

"Our goal is to continue to make it available for patients but make
sure it doesn't end up in the wrong hands."