Over the past month, we wrote that two former Amgen sales reps are suing the biotech for being forced to
improperly promote Enbrel, which is used to treat psoriasis. A New Jersey woman is seeking $10 million after claiming she was fired in retaliation for not complying with directives that included convincing docs to prescribe the med unnecessarily. And a California man charges he was ordered to pull patient files as part of a scheme to sway insurers to extend coverage, violating patient privacy.
The events involving the former New Jersey rep have already generated interest from the New Jersey Attorney General, who has formed a task force to probe the numerous ways that pharma and docs interact. Now, the attorney who represents both former Amgen sales reps says that Chuck Grassley, the pharma nemesis, is also interested in hearing more about these sordid tales. Lydia Cotz sends us the following e-mail from the Senate Finance Committee, which wants to talk to the reps about a broad inquiry into marketing practices of drug and device companies and their payments to doctors, according to a committee spokeswoman.
Ms. Cotz,
As I mentioned on the phone, we would appreciate any insights your clients can provide. Let me know if they’re available for a conference call tomorrow or Thursday afternoon. I’ll arrange a dial-in number once we have a date and time.
Below is my contact information. Please feel free to call or e-mail if you have any questions.
Thanks,
Angela Choy Investigative Health Counsel Committee on Finance United States Senate
4 Comments
What does Angela Choy expect to find?
What, if any, are violations of the company(ies)?
Under what authority would the alleged wrong doers be charged?
I assume the call is for detailers who have been pressured (the story says "forced") to recommend Embrel for mild to moderate psoriasis, a condition for which it has not been approved.
So it is essentially an investigation into an off-label promotion scam, encouraging reps to come forward as whistleblowers, as some have. The record-pulling business if more serious, and could lead to criminal charges if they are validated and the FDA/DOJ has the will to pursue them.
If the situation is as reported, very scuzzy indeed.
[...] problems don’t stop there. Ed Silverman, writing for Pharmalot, notes that the Senate Finance Committee is also investigating Amgen as part of a broader investigation of pharmaceutical companies’ [...]
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