Consumer Alert

Attorneys General Reach Settlement with Amgen Concerning Illegal Marketing of Medications

The Attorneys General of 49 states have reached a settlement with Amgen Inc. to resolve allegations that Amgen unlawfully promoted medications Aranesp and Enbrel. Aranesp is used to treat certain types of anemia. Enbrel is used to treat a number of conditions, including plaque psoriasis.

The Attorneys General alleged that Amgen violated state consumer protection laws by: (1) promoting Aranesp for dosing frequencies without the Federal Drug Administration's approval or sufficient scientific evidence to support the levels; (2) promoting Aranesp for anemia caused by cancer without having FDA approval or sufficient scientific evidence to support the claim; and (3) promoting Enbrel for mild plaque psoriasis even though the FDA had approved Enbrel to treat chronic moderate to severe plaque psoriasis.

The settlement requires Amgen to reform its marketing and promotional practices and pay $71 million to the states. Alaska's share of the settlement is $728,361.

Consumer Protection Unit
August 2015