Amgen reaches $71 million agreement over Enbrel and Aranesp marketing

US biotech company Amgen (Nasdaq: AMGN) has reached an agreement to pay $71 million to 48 US states and the District of Columbia over the marketing of Enbrel (etanercept) and Aranesp (darbepoetin alfa).

Amgen was accused by the different states of promoting Enbrel for the treatment of mild plaque psoriasis even though the US Food and Drug Administration had cleared it only for moderate-to-severe forms of the condition, as well as overstating the treatment’s duration of efficacy.

This agreement resolves some of the same issues addressed in its 2012 settlement with the US federal government over Aranesp marketing practices. It was also alleged that Amgen promoted Aranesp for dosing frequencies beyond those approved by the FDA and illegally promoted the therapy for anemia associated with cancer. Amgen was accused of lobbying to have Aranesp included in a drug compendium recognized by the US Centers for Medicare and Medicaid to receive reimbursements from insurers and the federal government.