Health & Fitness
Wed, April 18, 2012
ST. LOUIS--([ BUSINESS WIRE ])--Mallinckrodt, the pharmaceuticals business of [ Covidien ] (NYSE: COV), today joined [ The Partnership at Drugfree.org ] in supporting the aWake Up to Medicine Abusea campaign. The initiative will address youth prescription medicine abuse and how to prevent it. Announced in conjunction with Operation UNITEas National Rx Drug Abuse Summit this week in Orlando, Florida, aWake Up To Medicine Abusea is a national education effort taking place for the first time September 23-29, 2012.
"We must work together to end abuse and illicit diversion of prescription pain medications by increasing awareness, expanding education, fostering collaboration and promoting innovation"
aWe must work together to end abuse and illicit diversion of prescription pain medications by increasing awareness, expanding education, fostering collaboration and promoting innovation,a said Mark Trudeau, President, Mallinckrodt. aTogether, through campaigns like aWake Up to Medicine Abuse,a we strive to ensure that only legitimate patients have access to and appropriately use these important therapies.a
Concern over abuse and diversion of prescription pain medications has grown significantly in the last decade, and the need for a serious effort to fight this problem is well documented.
In 2010, Mallinckrodt launched the [ C.A.R.E.S. (Collaborating and Acting Responsibly to Ensure Safety) AllianceSM ], a coalition of national patient safety, provider and drug diversion organizations focused on reducing opioid pain medication abuse and increasing responsible prescribing habits. Through the C.A.R.E.S. Alliance website ([ www.caresalliance.org ]), Mallinckrodt makes educational tools and resources aimed at helping to reduce abuse available for prescribers, pharmacists and caregivers.
aOur work to prevent abuse and diversion of prescription products spans a number of activities, including the aWake Up to Medicine Abusea campaign. We strongly believe that collaboration must be at the core of all efforts,a said Trudeau. aJust as no single party bears the sole responsibility for the problem itself, we can all play a key role in together ending this public health crisis.a
ABOUT COVIDIEN
Covidien is a leading global healthcare products company that creates innovative medical solutions for better patient outcomes and delivers value through clinical leadership and excellence. Covidien manufactures, distributes and services a diverse range of industry-leading product lines in three segments: Medical Devices, Pharmaceuticals and Medical Supplies. With 2011 revenue of $11.6 billion, Covidien has 41,000 employees worldwide in more than 65 countries, and its products are sold in over 140 countries. Mallinckrodt, the pharmaceuticals business of Covidien, manufactures active pharmaceutical ingredients, including bulk acetaminophen, opioid pain medications, nuclear and contrast media diagnostic agents. Sales in 2011 were $2.0 billion. Please visit [ www.covidien.com ] to learn more about our business.
