Healthnewsreviews blog: The marketing of anemia drugs - a story we shouldn't forget (including comments)

The marketing of anemia drugs - a story we shouldn't forget

 "In an opinion piece on TheScientist.com, Daniel W. Coyne writes, “Amgen’s incomplete report on an early major trial of epoetin misled the medical community about the anemia drug’s risks and benefits—and helped make Amgen rich.”
In the book, “How We Do Harm,” Otis Brawley, MD, chief medical and scientific officer of the American Cancer Society, writes quite a bit about hemoglobin-building drugs.  He discusses:.....

(2nd article) FDA Safety Alerts for Human Medical Products > Erythropoiesis-Stimulating Agents (ESAs) In Chronic Kidney Disease: Drug Safety Communication - Modified Dosing Recommendations

Erythropoiesis-Stimulating Agents (ESAs) In Chronic Kidney Disease: Drug Safety Communication - Modified Dosing Recommendations

Epoetin alfa (marketed as Epogen and Procrit) and darbepoetin alfa (marketed as Aranesp)

Safety Concerns Prompt New Recommendations for Anemia Drugs « news@JAMA (patients with chronic kidney disease)

"The revised recommendations apply to epoetin alfa, which is marketed as Epogen and Procrit, and to darbepoetin alfa, marketed as Aranesp."

Author Insights: Erythropoietin and Cardiovascular Concerns « news@JAMA (Epogen, Procrit, Patient Safety, adverse events)

Sept 27th: Lots of Epogen and Procrit Recalled Due to Glass Flakes in Vials

"According to the manufacturer, the lamellae result from the interaction of the formulation with glass vials during the shelf life of the product. However, the company states that it has found that the lamellae have a low potential to affect patients who may have received the recalled product. "To date, there have been no complaints or adverse events reported which can be directly attributed to the presence of glass lamellae," the company notes."