Raise the hemoglobin levels, if you’re a physician? Introduce legislation to influence Medicare reimbursement, if you’re a lawmaker? Hike EPO prices, if you run a dialysis center? Depends who gets one of these handy timekeepers, of course. Whatever one’s role in life, these clocks will help you keep on the straight and narrow.

We note, though, that the Procrit clock has an added feature - it has an alarm, which is much more useful for preparing for contingencies. Perhaps Amgen’s ceo, Kevin Sharer, should have included an alarm on his own Epogen model. Then he could set it for December and declare that his unfortunate crisis is over - just in time to ensure his annual bonus remains intact.