15 states have filed a lawsuit against drug manufacturing giant Amgen for giving kickbacks to doctors in the hopes of boosting drug sales and company revenues.  Amgen sales representatives offered doctors financial kickbacks for prescribing Aranesp, a drug designed to treat anemia.  This comes at tough times for Amgen, particularly because Aranesp is under investigation for serious safety concerns.  It is against the law for drug manufacturers and drug sales representatives to offer financial incentives to doctors for prescribing medications.  Some drug manufaturers, such as Covidien, have strict policies in effect for drug sales representatives, which include forbearance from any quid pro quo engagements with physicians. 

In 2008, Amgen reported revenues of $15 billion,  Aranesp contributed to a large chunk of that revenue.  This admidst concerns that Aranesp causes serious and potentially life-threatening side effects.  Shouldn't a drug be prescribed solely based upon its merit and performance?  One would think so.  If you have sustained serious injuries as a result of a defective drug, you may have a viable drug defect injury claim.  Drug manufacturers have a duty to produce safe products.  Don't be victimized twice by a careless drug manufacturing giant, contact a defective drug injury lawyer today at (866) 840-3636 for a free and confidential consultation.