Pharma Blog Watch
Actimmune
Off-Label Use Remains Unproven (Pharmalot)
In his blog, Ed Silverman writes about InterMune's failed trial of Actimmune.
"There was a lot of hope surrounding Actimmune and pulmonary fibrosis,
because a 2003 trial of only 18 patients suggested it improved lung function,"
he writes. "Meanwhile, doctors and patients seized on the small study and
off-label use grew."
"The drug generated $90 million in sales last year, but sales derived from two approved uses would bring in just a fraction of that amount. So InterMune didn't seem bothered about off-label use, even though last fall it agreed to pay $36.9 million to settle charges of off-label promotion."
"There are no easy answers to this dilemma. Drugmakers are widely criticized for off-label promotion as a means to boost sales improperly," he continues. "Should someone facing death be denied an experimental med?"
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