FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: James Heins
203-588-8069


Purdue Appoints Watson Pharmaceuticals Exclusive Distributor of Authorized Generic Versions of OxyContin® Tablets

Stamford, CT - October 28, 2005 - Purdue Pharma L.P. today announced that it has appointed Watson Pharmaceuticals the exclusive U.S. distributor of authorized generic versions of OxyContin® (oxycodone HCl controlled-release) Tablets. Purdue has exercised it right to terminate a previous agreement with IVAX Pharmaceuticals to distribute the authorized generic product. Purdue will continue to manufacture and market its branded OxyContin product line.

Under the terms of the new agreement, Purdue will manufacture and supply oxycodone HCl controlled-release tablets to Watson, which will market, sell, and distribute the authorized generic product in 10, 20, 40 and 80 milligram dosages in the United States. This product will continue to meet all quality control standards of the OxyContin brand and will contain the same active and inactive pharmaceutical ingredients.

The professional product labeling for OxyContin® Tablets contains the following boxed warning:

WARNING:

OxyContin is an opioid agonist and a Schedule II controlled substance with an abuse liability similar to morphine.

Oxycodone can be abused in a manner similar to other opioid agonists, legal or illicit. This should be considered when prescribing or dispensing OxyContin in situations where the physician or pharmacist is concerned about an increased risk of misuse, abuse, or diversion.

OxyContin Tablets are a controlled-release oral formulation of oxycodone hydrochloride indicated for the management of moderate to severe pain when a continuous, around-the-clock analgesic is needed for an extended period of time.

OxyContin Tablets are NOT intended for use as a prn analgesic.

OxyContin 80 mg and 160 mg Tablets ARE FOR USE IN OPIOID-TOLERANT PATIENTS ONLY. These tablet strengths may cause fatal respiratory depression when administered to patients not previously exposed to opioids.

OxyContin TABLETS ARE TO BE SWALLOWED WHOLE AND ARE NOT TO BE BROKEN, CHEWED, OR CRUSHED. TAKING BROKEN, CHEWED, OR CRUSHED OxyContin TABLETS LEADS TO RAPID RELEASE AND ABSORPTION OF A POTENTIALLY FATAL DOSE OF OXYCODONE.

Full prescribing information for OxyContin is available at
http://www.purduepharma.com/PRESSROOM/PI/OXYCONTIN_PI.PDF.

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