An expert panel of doctors for the National Kidney Foundation plans to assess whether hundreds of thousands of patients with kidney disease are being dangerously overtreated with drugs for anemia.
The decision to convene the panel comes two weeks after studies in The New England Journal of Medicine suggested that kidney patients whose anemia was more aggressively treated were more likely to die or suffer heart problems than those who were allowed to remain more anemic.
As a result, the panel, which will meet early next year, may recommend less aggressive treatment of anemia, potentially hurting sales for Amgen and Johnson & Johnson, which market the drugs, which are among the world’s best-selling prescription medicines.
“There are substantial sums of money involved here,” said Kerry Willis, vice president for medical and scientific activities of the National Kidney Foundation. The foundation, in response to a reporter’s question, confirmed the panel’s plans to meet. The panel’s recommendations would not have the force of law. But they are certain to be closely watched by kidney doctors as well as administrators of the federal Medicare program, which is by far the largest buyer of the drugs worldwide.
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/11/30/health/30drug.html?ex=1322542800&en=8626cc58f7211189&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss
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