Inappropriate comment

I write on behalf of Purdue Pharma L.P. to repudiate the comment about Jill Skolek made by our employee, Robin Hogen, as reported in Bob Braun's March 5 column.

Hogen regrets having made the remark and has acknowledged in a letter to Jill Skolek's mother, Marianne, that he was wrong to do so.

For more than 50 years, this company has been dedicated to serving medical professionals and the patients in their care. We are committed to helping patients with persistent pain by developing safe, effective medications that can give them back their lives. Since reports first surfaced about misuse of our product, OxyContin tablets, we also have been unstintingly committed to helping doctors, pharmacists, parents and law enforcement address issues related to inappropriate and dangerous uses of all prescription medications, not just the ones we distribute.

Hogen's inappropriate remark is inconsistent with our values and our commitment, and we sincerely regret that it was made.

-- Michael Friedman, Stam ford, Conn.

The writer is executive vice president and chief operating officer of Purdue Pharma L.P.