Amgen Issues Warning on Drug

Amgen Inc. sent a letter to doctors warning that high doses of anemia drugs, including the company’s Aranesp, might be dangerous for cancer patients.

Anemia medicines are used to boost levels of red blood cells in cancer patients.

Amgen said it issued the letter after studies of similar drugs sold by Roche Holding and Johnson & Johnson showed a higher death rate in patients whose red-blood cell levels exceeded targets.

“We agree with regulatory authorities that the observation warranted communication to prescribers,” Amgen spokeswoman Trish Hawkins said.