ST. LOUIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Mallinckrodt, the pharmaceuticals business of Covidien (COV), today joined The Partnership at Drugfree.org in launching The Medicine Abuse Project, a multi-year effort to raise awareness and curb the abuse of prescription medicine by teens and young adults. Beginning this week, the campaign aims to prevent half a million teens from abusing such medications over the next five years.

The abuse of prescription medications is a serious problem and requires strong partnerships and innovative approaches to combat it, said Mark Trudeau, President, Mallinckrodt. As an advocate for awareness and education, we are proud to have been one of the first partners to team up with The Partnership at Drugfree.org to help bring attention to this vital issue.

Medicine abuse affects one in six teens in the United States, according to The Partnership at Drugfree.org. The Medicine Abuse Project calls on parents, healthcare providers and others to take the pledge to learn about medicine abuse, safeguard medicines and educate teens about the issue.

The majority of teens who abuse medicines get them from family and friends, said Steve Pasierb, President and CEO of The Partnership at Drugfree.org. We need to change that. With the support of partners like Mallinckrodt, physicians, parents and teens themselves will be more aware of the dangers of medicine abuse.

In sponsoring the Medicine Abuse Project, Mallinckrodt continues to build on its dedication to ensuring patient safety. In 2010, Mallinckrodt launched the C.A.R.E.S. (Collaborating and Acting Responsibly to Ensure Safety) AllianceSM. This coalition of patient, provider and community organizations provides tools and resources to support the responsible prescribing, and safe and appropriate use, of prescription pain medications.

ABOUT COVIDIEN

Covidien is a leading global healthcare products company that creates innovative medical solutions for better patient outcomes and delivers value through clinical leadership and excellence. Covidien manufactures, distributes and services a diverse range of industry-leading product lines in three segments: Medical Devices, Pharmaceuticals and Medical Supplies. With 2011 revenue of $11.6 billion, Covidien has 43,000 employees worldwide in more than 65 countries, and its products are sold in over 140 countries. Please visit http://www.covidien.com to learn more about our business.

Mallinckrodt, the pharmaceuticals business of Covidien, is a vertically integrated leader in providing products used in diagnostic procedures and in the treatment of pain and related conditions. The company is the largest US supplier, by prescription, of opioid pain medications and a leading manufacturer of active pharmaceutical ingredients. It is also the largest US supplier of the medical isotope technetium-99m and an industry leader in radiopharmaceuticals and contrast media and delivery systems. Sales in 2011 were $2.0 billion. Please visit http://www.mallinckrodt.com to learn more about our business.

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Mallinckrodt Joins The Partnership at Drugfree.org to Launch The Medicine Abuse Project