Amgen Gets Sued by Ex-Sales Reps for Improper Marketing Practices
It goes without saying that Amgen has had a run of bad luck over the past six months. But, just when you thought things couldn’t get much worse, two former Amgen sales representatives are suing the company, alleging it pushed its sales force to search doctor's confidential medical records for potential patients to boost sales of its blockbuster drug Enbrel.
The ex-employees are seeking lost pay, punitive damages and other compensation totaling more than $15 million apiece. One of the sales representatives, Elena Ferrante of Montvale, N.J., was fired in August 2005, while the other, Mark Engelman of Laguna Niguel, Calif., resigned last year after he received a negative performance review.
A lawyer representing the ex- reps alleges the marketing scheme to increase sales of the drug started in 2005 or sooner, after new drugs competing with Enbrel came on the market. "Amgen stepped up their marketing practices to get all these people who were not indicated for Enbrel" to start taking the drug, she said.
Enbrel which is approved to treat rheumatoid arthritis and moderate to severe cases of psoriasis generated $3.0 billion in sale for Amgen last year. Enbrel treatment can cost as much as $20,000-$50,000 per patient per year depending upon disease severity.
Stay tuned for the next installment of the ongoing Amgen saga!
Until next time….
Good Luck and Good Job Hunting (not in A Thousand Oaks)!!!
