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<P STYLE="font: bold 14pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 12pt">UNITED STATES</FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 14pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 12pt"><B>SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION</B></FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 14pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 12pt"><B>WASHINGTON,
D. C. 20549</B></FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 12pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center"><B>&nbsp;</B></P>

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<P STYLE="font: 12pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center"></P>

<P STYLE="font: 12pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: bold 16pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 12pt">FORM 8-K</FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 12pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center"><B>&nbsp;</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 12pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt"><B>CURRENT REPORT
</B></FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 12pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt"><B>Pursuant to
Section 13 or 15(d) of the</B></FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 12pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt"><B>Securities
Exchange Act Of 1934</B></FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 12pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt"><B>&nbsp;</B></FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 12pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt"><B>January 23,
2012 </B></FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">Date of Report
(Date of earliest event reported)</FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 6pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center"><B>&nbsp;</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 6pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center">&nbsp;</P>

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<P STYLE="font: 6pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center"></P>

<P STYLE="font: 6pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 20pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 18pt"><B>ACURA PHARMACEUTICALS,
INC.</B></FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center">(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)</P>



<P STYLE="font: 12pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt"><B>&nbsp;</B></FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 12pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt"><B></B></FONT></P>

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<P STYLE="font: 12pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt"><B>&nbsp;</B></FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 12pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt"><B></B></FONT></P>

<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="width: 34%; font-size: 12pt; layout-grid-mode: line; font-weight: bold; text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">State
    of New York</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 33%; font-size: 12pt; layout-grid-mode: line; font-weight: bold; text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt"><B>1-10113</B></FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 33%; font-size: 12pt; layout-grid-mode: line; font-weight: bold; text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">11-0853640</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="text-align: center; layout-grid-mode: line"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">(State of Other Jurisdiction</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: center; layout-grid-mode: line"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">(Commission File Number)</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: center; layout-grid-mode: line"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;(I.R.S. Employer</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="text-align: center; layout-grid-mode: line"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">of Incorporation)</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: center; layout-grid-mode: line"></TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: center; layout-grid-mode: line"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;<FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">Identification Number)</FONT></TD></TR>
</TABLE>
<P STYLE="font: 9pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: justify"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;</FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: bold 12pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">616 N. North
Court, Suite 120</FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: bold 12pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">Palatine,
Illinois 60067</FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">(Address of principal
executive offices) (Zip Code)</FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;</FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 12pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt"><B>(847) 705-7709</B></FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">(Registrant&rsquo;s
telephone number, including area code)</FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;</FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: justify"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">Check the appropriate
box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the
following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):</FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: justify"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;</FONT></P>

<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="width: 5%; font-family: Wingdings; layout-grid-mode: line; text-align: justify"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">&uml;</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 95%; layout-grid-mode: line; text-align: justify"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">Written communications pursuant
    to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="layout-grid-mode: line; text-align: justify"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="layout-grid-mode: line; text-align: justify"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="font-family: Wingdings; layout-grid-mode: line; text-align: justify"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">&uml;</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="layout-grid-mode: line; text-align: justify"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">Soliciting material pursuant to Rule
    14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17CFR 240.14a-12)</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="layout-grid-mode: line; text-align: justify"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="layout-grid-mode: line; text-align: justify"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="font-family: Wingdings; layout-grid-mode: line; text-align: justify"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">&uml;</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="layout-grid-mode: line; text-align: justify"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">Pre-commencement communications pursuant
    to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17CFR240.14d-2(b))</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="layout-grid-mode: line; text-align: justify"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="layout-grid-mode: line; text-align: justify"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="font-family: Wingdings; layout-grid-mode: line; text-align: justify"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">&uml;</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="layout-grid-mode: line; text-align: justify"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">Pre-commencement communications pursuant
    to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17CFR 240.13e-4(c))</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="font-family: Wingdings; layout-grid-mode: line; text-align: justify"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="layout-grid-mode: line; text-align: justify"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
</TABLE>
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<P STYLE="font: 12pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0 0 0 1in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -1in"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt"><B>&nbsp;</B></FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 12pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0 0 0 1in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -1in"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt"><B>Item
8.01&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Other Events</B></FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 12pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0 0 0 1in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -1in"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;</FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 12pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">On
January 23, 2012 we issued a press release providing an update on the commercialization by Pfizer, Inc. of OXECTA&trade; (oxycodone
HCl, USP) Tablets, which we licensed to it. A copy of our press release is being filed as Exhibit 99.1 hereto and is incorporated
herein by reference.</FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 12pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0 0 0 1in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -1in"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;</FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 12pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: justify"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt"><B>Item 9.01&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Financial
Statements and Exhibits</B></FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 12pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: justify"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt"><B>&nbsp;</B></FONT></P>

<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="width: 15%; font-size: 12pt; layout-grid-mode: line; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; border-bottom: Black 1pt solid"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">Exhibit
    Number</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 2%; font-size: 12pt; layout-grid-mode: line; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 83%; font-size: 12pt; layout-grid-mode: line; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; border-bottom: Black 1pt solid"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">Description</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="font-size: 12pt; layout-grid-mode: line; text-align: justify"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="font-size: 12pt; layout-grid-mode: line; text-align: justify"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="font-size: 12pt; layout-grid-mode: line; text-align: justify"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="font-size: 12pt; layout-grid-mode: line"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">99.1</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="font-size: 12pt; layout-grid-mode: line"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="font-size: 12pt; layout-grid-mode: line"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">Press Release dated January 23, 2012</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="font-size: 12pt; layout-grid-mode: line">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="font-size: 12pt; layout-grid-mode: line">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="font-size: 12pt; layout-grid-mode: line">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
</TABLE>

<P STYLE="margin: 0">&nbsp;</P>

<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">
</TABLE>
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    <DIV STYLE="page-break-before: always; margin-top: 6pt; margin-bottom: 12pt"><TABLE CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" STYLE="width: 100%; font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif"><TR><TD STYLE="text-align: center; width: 100%">&nbsp;</TD></TR></TABLE></DIV>
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<P STYLE="font: 12pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0 0 0 2.5in; text-indent: -2.5in"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;</FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 12pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt"><B>SIGNATURES</B></FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 12pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: justify"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;</FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 12pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">Pursuant
to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf
by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.</FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 12pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: justify"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;</FONT></P>

<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" STYLE="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD COLSPAN="2" STYLE="font-size: 12pt; layout-grid-mode: line; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">ACURA
    PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="width: 50%"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 5%; font-size: 12pt; layout-grid-mode: line; text-align: justify"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 45%; font-size: 12pt; layout-grid-mode: line; text-align: justify"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="font-size: 12pt; layout-grid-mode: line; text-align: justify"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">By:</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="font-size: 12pt; layout-grid-mode: line; text-align: justify; border-bottom: Black 1pt solid"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">/s/
    Peter A. Clemens</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="font-size: 12pt; layout-grid-mode: line; text-align: justify"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="font-size: 12pt; layout-grid-mode: line; text-align: justify"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">Peter A. Clemens</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="font-size: 12pt; layout-grid-mode: line; text-align: justify"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="font-size: 12pt; layout-grid-mode: line; text-align: justify"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">Senior Vice President
    &amp; Chief Financial Officer</FONT></TD></TR>
</TABLE>
<P STYLE="font: 12pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: justify"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;</FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 12pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: justify"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">Date:&nbsp;&nbsp;January
23, 2012</FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 12pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: justify">&nbsp;</P>

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<P STYLE="font: 12pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; text-align: center; margin-right: 0; margin-left: 0"></P>

<P STYLE="font: 12pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; text-align: center; margin-right: 0; margin-left: 0"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt"><B><U>Exhibit
Index</U></B>&nbsp;</FONT></P>

<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" STYLE="font: 12pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="width: 15%; border-bottom: windowtext 1pt solid; layout-grid-mode: line; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">Exhibit
    Number</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 2%; layout-grid-mode: line; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 83%; border-bottom: windowtext 1pt solid; layout-grid-mode: line; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">Description</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="layout-grid-mode: line; text-align: justify"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="layout-grid-mode: line; text-align: justify"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="layout-grid-mode: line; text-align: justify"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="layout-grid-mode: line"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">99.1</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="layout-grid-mode: line"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="layout-grid-mode: line"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">Press Release dated January 23, 2012&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
</TABLE>
<P STYLE="font: 12pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; text-align: center; margin-right: 0; margin-left: 0"></P>

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{"company-data": {"conformed-name": "ACURA PHARMACEUTICALS, INC", "cik": "0000786947", "assigned-sic": "2834", "irs-number": "110853640", "state-of-incorporation": "NY", "fiscal-year-end": "1231"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "8-K", "act": "34", "file-number": "001-10113", "film-number": "12539907"}, "business-address": {"street1": "616 N. NORTH COURT, SUITE 120", "city": "PALATINE", "state": "IL", "zip": "60067", "phone": "847-705-7709"}, "mail-address": {"street1": "616 N. NORTH COURT, SUITE 120", "street2": ".", "city": "PALATINE", "state": "IL", "zip": "60067"}, "former-company": {"former-conformed-name": "HALSEY DRUG CO INC/NEW", "date-changed": "19920703"}}
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON,
D. C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to
Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities
Exchange Act Of 1934
January 23,
2012
Date of Report
(Date of earliest event reported)
ACURA PHARMACEUTICALS,
INC.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)
State
    of New York
1-10113
11-0853640
(State of Other Jurisdiction
(Commission File Number)
(I.R.S. Employer
of Incorporation)
Identification Number)
616 N. North
Court, Suite 120
Palatine,
Illinois 60067
(Address of principal
executive offices) (Zip Code)
(847) 705-7709
(Registrant's
telephone number, including area code)
Check the appropriate
box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the
following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):
¨
Written communications pursuant
    to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
¨
Soliciting material pursuant to Rule
    14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17CFR 240.14a-12)
¨
Pre-commencement communications pursuant
    to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17CFR240.14d-2(b))
¨
Pre-commencement communications pursuant
    to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17CFR 240.13e-4(c))
Item
8.01      Other Events
On
January 23, 2012 we issued a press release providing an update on the commercialization by Pfizer, Inc. of OXECTA™ (oxycodone
HCl, USP) Tablets, which we licensed to it. A copy of our press release is being filed as Exhibit 99.1 hereto and is incorporated
herein by reference.
Item 9.01      Financial
Statements and Exhibits
Exhibit
    Number
Description
99.1
Press Release dated January 23, 2012
SIGNATURES
Pursuant
to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf
by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
ACURA
    PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
By:
/s/
    Peter A. Clemens
Peter A. Clemens
Senior Vice President
    & Chief Financial Officer
Date:  January
23, 2012
Exhibit
Index
Exhibit
    Number
Description
99.1
Press Release dated January 23, 2012