New "RxPATROL(R) Pharmacy Safety and Security" video premieres at NCPA's annual convention and on www.RxPATROL.com

NEW ORLEANS, Oct. 22 /PRNewswire/ -- Purdue Pharma L.P. and the National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA) debut the "RxPATROL® Pharmacy Safety and Security" video at NCPA's annual conference in New Orleans and on www.RxPATROL.com. Purdue Pharma and NCPA partnered to create this free tool to help educate pharmacists and pharmacy staff about preventing pharmacy crime as part of NCPA's Protect Your Pharmacy Now! initiative, begun in 2008.

RxPATROL® coordinator, Captain Richard Conklin of the Stamford, CT Police Department, and NCPA member Steve Morton discuss measures pharmacy owners can take to make their businesses a harder target as well as how to assist law enforcement in catching criminals. Captain Conklin introduces viewers to Purdue Pharma's RxPATROL® program, an online database that tracks, analyzes and provides information on pharmacy crime to law enforcement and pharmacies.

"Pharmacy crime is a growing concern across the country, affecting our customers, our staff, and our businesses," said NCPA President Holly W. Henry, R.Ph. "As more and more communities begin to experience these kinds of robberies and burglaries, NCPA is pleased to continue our Protect Your Pharmacy Now! partnership with Purdue's RxPATROL® program to help our members prevent pharmacy crime."

Created in May 2003, RxPATROL® is the only program specifically tracking pharmacy crime. Using visual and other evidence gathered by RxPATROL®, pharmacies and law enforcement are alerted to crimes that have occurred in their area and trends in criminal activity. More than 3,500 drug diversion investigators receive daily RxPATROL® pharmacy crime alerts and more than 1,200 law enforcement officers have utilized the database.

"Purdue encourages pharmacists and pharmacy staff to register with RxPATROL," said Richard Zenuch Director, Law Enforcement Liaison and Education at Purdue. "The more pharmacists using the RxPATROL® system the more effective the system will be in helping law enforcement and the pharmacy community combat pharmacy crime."

RxPATROL® partners with Crime Stoppers and other community anti-crime programs to offer rewards for information leading to arrests for pharmacy crime. Tips can be made anonymously and have led to nearly 100 arrests since the program's inception. More information about the program can be found at www.RxPATROL.com.

In addition to RxPATROL®, Purdue's Law Enforcement Liaison and Education (LELE) Program provides law enforcement and healthcare providers with training and educational materials to help them combat prescription drug abuse and pharmacy crime. The LELE team is comprised of seasoned law enforcement professionals who are knowledgeable about prescription drug-related crime and healthcare fraud issues.

Purdue is the recipient of NCPA's 2009 Corporate Recognition Award, presented here today at the annual convention.

Purdue Pharma L.P. and its associated U.S. companies are privately-held pharmaceutical companies known for pioneering research on persistent pain. Headquartered in Stamford, CT, Purdue is engaged in the research, development, production, and distribution of both prescription and over-the-counter medicines and hospital products. Additional information about Purdue can be found at www.purduepharma.com.

The National Community Pharmacists Association, founded in 1898, represents the nation's community pharmacists, including the owners of more than 23,000 pharmacies. The nation's independent pharmacies, independent pharmacy franchises, and independent chains dispense nearly half of the nation's retail prescription medicines. To learn more go to www.ncpanet.org.

SOURCE Purdue Pharma L.P.

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