Federal prosecutors in Massachusetts have subpoenaed Johnson & Johnson subsidiary Scios for documents related to the sale of Natrecor, its drug for congestive heart failure. Some critics contend that Natrecor increases the risk of kidney problems and even death in some patients. Researchers reported in a small study April 20 that they found evidence that patients given Natrecor appeared much more likely to die in the first month after treatment than those given traditional medication, such as nitroglycerin. Scios is performing additional tests on the drug and plans to notify doctors not to use Natrecor off-label.
- read this report from the San Jose Mercury News for more