News

                                                        Contact:

Merle Spiegel

(203) 588-8050
          merle.spiegel@pharma.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Purdue Pharma Announces $50,000 Prize for Pain Research

Stamford, CT, February 6, 2002 – In support of its commitment to the discovery of new medicines for the treatment of pain, the Discovery Research Department of Purdue Pharma L.P. will sponsor the Purdue Pharma Prize for Pain Research. This new $50,000 award, designed to recognize outstanding contributions to pain research, will be awarded every other year by the Purdue Pharma Fund to an individual nominated by his or her peers and chosen by a selection committee comprised of leading pain researchers from the academic community. The first Purdue Pharma Prize for Pain Research will be awarded during the Spring Pain Research Conference, which will be held April 20-27, 2002. At that time, the award winner will present a lecture on the topic of his or her research.

The Spring Pain Research Conference is jointly organized by Professor Norman Bowery of the University of Birmingham, England, and Professor Frank Porreca of the University of Arizona. Held every two years, the conference brings together outstanding scientists for the discussion of pain research. In addition to Professors Bowery and Porreca, the selection committee for the 2002 Purdue Pharma Prize for Pain Research includes Professor Gary Bennett, McGill University, Montreal; Professor Anthony Dickenson, University College, London, England; and Professor Ken Hargreaves, University of Texas.

“Purdue is delighted to announce this new award, which we hope will stimulate discovery research in the all-important field of pain management,” said Tage Honore, PhD, Vice President, Discovery Research. “More than 50 million Americans suffer from chronic pain, and most of this pain is under-treated or not treated at all.”

Purdue Pharma L.P., headquartered in Stamford, CT, is a privately held pharmaceutical company known for its pioneering research on chronic pain. Purdue is engaged in the research, development, production and distribution of both prescription and over-the-counter medicines and hospital products. As the sponsor of Partners Against Pain®, Purdue encourages the therapeutic alliance of patients, their families, caregivers, and healthcare professionals. The Purdue Pharma Fund is a new community outreach program that the company has developed to focus contributions on nonprofit organizations dealing with education, treatment, and research involving patients with pain. Additional information about Purdue can be found at www.purduepharma.com.