Purdue Pharma, the Stamford, Conn., drug maker that designed OxyContin to provide pain relief to millions, said Tuesday it has eliminated its remaining sales force as it shifts to cancer and central nervous disorder medications.
It announced in February it reduced its sales force by half and would no longer promote the painkiller to doctors.
"This information today also means that Purdue has ended its sales force engagement with prescribers for all of its medicines," spokesman Bob Josephson said in an email. "Purdue Pharma is taking significant steps to transform and diversify beyond our historic focus of pain medications."
The company will pursue new medications for patients with cancer and certain central nervous system disorders, Josephson said. Purdue Pharma will pursue its new work "primarily through emphasis on internal and partnered research and development programs."
"As a consequence of these plans and as the most recent change new management has made over the last year, a number of positions at the company have been eliminated," Josephson said.
He did not provide details, such as the number of employees who are affected.
Developing new medicines will be the priority, but Purdue Pharma will continue to support its opioid analgesic product portfolio while taking "meaningful steps" to reduce opioid abuse and addiction, including research and development of non-opioid analgesic pain treatments, Josephson said.
Over the last decade, numerous state attorneys general have sued Purdue, accusing it of false advertising claims that netted the company billions of dollars while leaving the states to handle the costs of addiction.
Some lawsuits also accuse Purdue of failing to investigate suspicious requests from prescribers for huge quantities of pills. Purdue has denied the allegations.
