NEW YORK
Biotechnology behemoth Amgen Inc. is being sued by 15 states alleging that the company gave kickbacks to medical providers to help boost sales of the anemia drug Aranesp.
The New York Attorney General's Office says that it and 15 states allege that the company in Thousand Oaks, Calif., encouraged medical providers to bill third parties, including Medicaid, for Aranesp, which was available to them at no cost.
The lawsuit also alleges that Amgen conspired to offer kickbacks, including nonexistent consultancy deals and weekend retreats, to boost prescriptions of Aranesp.
Sales of the drug have been slipping for more than a year because of growing safety concerns and stricter safety warnings.
"We believe that the allegations are without merit, and we look forward to the opportunity to examine these matters with the states before the Court," Amgen said, in a statement.
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