–Missouri to receive more than $1.2 million–
Jefferson City, Mo. – Attorney General Chris Koster and the Attorneys General of 47 other states have reached a $71 million settlement with pharmaceutical company Amgen Inc. to resolve allegations that Amgen unlawfully promoted two biologic medications, Aranesp and Enbrel. Amgen will pay the state of Missouri $1,280,385.46, and has agreed to reform its marketing practices.
Aranesp is used to treat certain types of anemia by stimulating bone marrow to produce red blood cells. Enbrel is used to treat a number of conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis.
The consent judgment filed today in Cole County Circuit Court addresses allegations that Amgen violated the state’s consumer protection laws in the manner that it promoted Aranesp and Enbrel. Specifically, Koster alleges Amgen violated Missouri’s consumer laws by promoting Aranesp for dosing frequencies longer than the FDA approved for use, without reliable scientific evidence to substantiate the extended dosing frequencies. Amgen is also alleged to have promoted Aranesp for anemia caused by cancer, a use not approved by FDA, and to have promoted Enbrel for uses outside FDA approval.
“Pharmaceutical companies such as Amgen cannot make false marketing claims about the drugs they manufacture,” Koster said. “Missouri consumers have a right to accurate information about products affecting their health.”
The consent judgment requires Amgen to reform its marketing and promotional practices, such as not improperly using a drug compendium entry as a marketing tool. A drug compendium is typically a non-profit reference book listing drug strengths, quality, and ingredients.
