Amgen reaches $72 million drug settlement with states
Pharmaceutical company Amgen Inc. will pay the state of Iowa more than $972,000 to settle allegations that it improperly marketed two of its leading medications, Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller announced Wednesday. The settlement is part of a nationwide $72 million agreement with 48 states and the District of Columbia over allegations that the California-based drugmaker unlawfully promoted anemia drug Aranesp and psoriasis drug Enbrel. The agreement requires Amgen to reform its marketing practices and prevents it from promoting off-label uses of Enbrel and Aranesp. The company is barred from a variety of marketing strategies related to the two medications, including promoting off-label uses to medical professionals through nonprofit drug reference books called compendia. Iowa’s share of Tuesday’s settlement will go the state’s consumer education and litigation fund.