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Purdue Pharma, the maker of OxyContin, has received a patent aimed at treating opioid dependence.
The patent, first published by the Financial Times, concerns a new form of buprenorphine with faster action. Buprenorphine controls cravings and is often used as a substitute for people who consume heroin or opioid painkillers such as OxyContin.
Buprenorphine is currently prescribed in the form of fast-dissolving tablets or strips. The patent relates to a buprenorphine "wafer" which would dissolve in just a few seconds.
"Although opioids have always been known to be useful in the treatment of pain, they also have the potential for dependence," says the patent. "Thus, if healthy, drug-addicted humans take opioids, they can lead to psychological and physical dependence."
Purdue Pharma is the subject of numerous lawsuits for allegedly fueling the epidemic of opioids. The Sackler family, which controls Purdue, was personally named in a lawsuit in June, during which the Massachusetts Attorney General accused them of a "deceptive and deadly ploy to sell opioids". The company and the Sackler family deny these allegations.
Richard Sackler, who sits on the board of directors of the company, is among the inventors of the patent.
The use of OxyContin, invented in 1995, was fueled by an aggressive marketing campaign that led to becoming the most prescribed opioid.
Although prescriptions for the drug began to decline in 2010, they still reported more than $ 2 billion in sales in 2015, according to the Los Angeles Times.
Mr. Purdue pleaded guilty in 2007 to a charge of regulatory fraud regarding the potential for abuse of OxyContin and fined $ 600 million, although one whistleblower says that the company continued its deceptive marketing tactics after that date. In June of this year, the company laid off its entire sales team.
Earlier this week, the company donated $ 3.4 million to a non-profit drug developer working on an over-the-counter version of naloxone, a nasal spray used to treat opioid overdoses.
Purdue will not receive royalties on sales of naloxone treatment, developed by Harm Reduction Therapeuticals, the company said.
According to the CDC, about 48,000 people died of opioid overdose last year. Since 2013, more than 170,000 people have died from an overdose of opioids, including heroin.
A spokesman for Purdue refused to answer questions about the patent, calling the FT report a "story built on speculation".
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