TRENTON, N.J. — First one former sales representative, then another from drugmaker Amgen Inc. claimed they were fired or forced out for refusing to go along with unethical, even illegal practices to boost sales of the pricey drug Enbrel among psoriasis patients.
Now, two federal agencies and four state attorneys general are investigating the practices of the company, according to the sales reps’ New Jersey lawyer.
Amgen’s sales force was pushed to encourage dermatologists to switch psoriasis patients from other treatments to Enbrel, even if they had common medical conditions Enbrel could have worsened, said ex-saleswoman Elena Ferrante of Montvale, N.J., who said she was fired in August 2005 after eight years of “outstanding” performance reviews.
Use of Enbrel, a blockbuster genetically engineered drug that patients inject once or twice a week, is not approved for people with mild psoriasis.
Amgen, of Thousand Oaks, Calif., denies any wrongdoing.
Enbrel can cost up to $26,000 a year, according to Amgen. It can have severe side effects, even fatal infections.
