A new study in the New England Journal of Medicine says that a trio of blockbuster anemia drugs are linked with a higher risk for heart problems and death. The researchers divided patients into two groups: one receiving doses of epoetin to correct symptoms of anemia and one that was allowed to remain more anemic on lower doses. Patients taking the higher doses were 34 percent more likely to develop heart problems. The study was prompted by the steadily higher doses of epoetin that patients receive during dialysis. Centers providing treatment now receive the bulk of their income from the drugs and not from the actual dialysis, and doses have tripled since the 1990s. Amgen and J&J market the drug as Epogen, Procrit and Aranesp with revenue last year of more than $9 billion.
- here's a report on the new study from The International Herald Tribune