Comments on: Amgen Sued By 15 States Over Aranesp Kickbacks http://www.pharmalot.com/2009/10/amgen-sued-by-15-states-over-aranesp-kickbacks/ News, Comment and Conversation Fri, 10 Feb 2012 20:41:13 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.2 By: Patrick Spithill PHD http://www.pharmalot.com/2009/10/amgen-sued-by-15-states-over-aranesp-kickbacks/#comment-443130 Patrick Spithill PHD Mon, 02 Nov 2009 14:36:55 +0000 http://www.pharmalot.com/?p=19485#comment-443130 I am not surprised to see this come out. For years I have wondered how certain drugs were able to be passed considering the risks to health and safety. I am not surprised to see this come out. For years I have wondered how certain drugs were able to be passed considering the risks to health and safety.

]]> By: Anne PME http://www.pharmalot.com/2009/10/amgen-sued-by-15-states-over-aranesp-kickbacks/#comment-442956 Anne PME Sat, 31 Oct 2009 23:18:56 +0000 http://www.pharmalot.com/?p=19485#comment-442956 If a HC reform or other bill passes that includes patent exclusivity expiration for biotech tech drugs, I worry that that a shorter profit period will only serve to further incentivize these types of potentially dangerous strategies. Also, from the looks of things, there does not appear to be a production deficit or output capacity issues for the ESA medicines. If this case is any indication, the opposite- overcapacity- may be the problem that is helping to precipitate kickback and rebates schemes. I worry that biosimilar versions of ESA drugs will only further increase overcapacity and serve to further incentivize kickback and rebate issues that these companies are accused of engaging in and create additional potential for drug diversion. ESAs are good drugs, but too much and/or dosing for too long may unnecessarily increase risk. If a HC reform or other bill passes that includes patent exclusivity expiration for biotech tech drugs, I worry that that a shorter profit period will only serve to further incentivize these types of potentially dangerous strategies.

Also, from the looks of things, there does not appear to be a production deficit or output capacity issues for the ESA medicines. If this case is any indication, the opposite- overcapacity- may be the problem that is helping to precipitate kickback and rebates schemes. I worry that biosimilar versions of ESA drugs will only further increase overcapacity and serve to further incentivize kickback and rebate issues that these companies are accused of engaging in and create additional potential for drug diversion.

ESAs are good drugs, but too much and/or dosing for too long may unnecessarily increase risk.

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