Indiana Governor's Bill Signing Ceremony Recognizes the Role of Meth-Resistant Technology in Stemming State Meth Problem

CULVER, IN--(Marketwired - April 28, 2016) - Acura Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: ACUR), a specialty pharmaceutical company innovating abuse deterrent drugs, announced that, today, Indiana Governor Mike Pence will formally sign legislation designed to address and slow the "home-grown" meth problem in Indiana. The new law, known as Senate Enrolled Act 80, requires state pharmacists to use professional discretion when selling pseudoephedrine-based cold and allergy products, including encouraging the use of new meth-resistant formulations, in an effort to help reduce local methamphetamine production. The law requires rule and policy making by the Indiana Board of Pharmacy, including the determination of products that are meth-resistant. Upon enactment, pharmacists who do not have a relationship with a customer may, at their discretion after consultation with the customer, sell only a methamphetamine-resistant pseudoephedrine product such as Nexafed^®, or a minimal supply of a traditional pseudoephedrine product. The new bill will go into effect on July 1, 2016 and will be signed at Webb's Family Pharmacy in Rochester, Ind.

Courtney Hunter, Director of Advocacy, Partnership for Drug-Free Kids, said, "The production and abuse of crystal methamphetamine continues to be one of the most devastating drug issues on the community level. The legislation signed today by Governor Pence represents an important step taken by Indiana's lawmakers to curtail the domestic production of meth. As an organization committed to reducing substance abuse among adolescents, we applaud the efforts of those involved in passing this meaningful legislation."

"Acura Pharmaceuticals is pleased that Governor Pence and the Indiana legislature have recognized the value of meth-resistant, abuse deterrent products in this law and understand that these products are part of the solution to community-based meth production," said Robert B. Jones, President and CEO of Acura. "Our Nexafed^® formulation dramatically reduces the ability to manufacture meth from the product, while providing customers with the identical therapeutic effect of traditional pseudoephedrine tablets. Areas, like the state of West Virginia, where a majority of pharmacies voluntarily adopted the exclusive use of meth-resistant single ingredient pseudoephedrine products have seen significant decreases in meth lab incidents, as documented by law enforcement. Indiana legislators recognize that pharmacists and retailers, given the right tools, can be effective in addressing methamphetamine abuse. It's commendable Indiana enacted this law since many of those same retailers that voluntarily took action for West Virginia's meth problem failed to protect Hoosiers by implementing similar policies here."