Purdue offers grant to fund Fla. Rx monitoring program

STAMFORD, Conn. — Drug maker Purdue Pharma is giving a $1 million grant to the state of Florida to help fund the state’s prescription drug monitoring program, the company said Wednesday.

Purdue said the program was designed to combat illegal diversion and abuse of prescription drugs. Purdue is the maker of OxyContin (oxycodone), an extended-release opioid painkiller that often is a target of abuse.

The company also is giving a $1 million grant to the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy to support the group’s program to help state prescription drug monitoring programs detect “doctor shopping” across state lines.