Doctors make millions on anemia drugs

New York -- U.S. doctors are receiving millions of dollars for prescribing certain anemia drugs to patients.

Industry analysts estimate the payments to cancer and kidney doctors total hundreds of millions of dollars a year, The New York Times said Wednesday.

Critics say the payments may be leading doctors to prescribe the drugs at levels that might increase the risk of heart attack or strokes.

Aranesp and Epogen, made by Amgen, and Procrit, from Johnson & Johnson, had combined sales of $10 billion last year. The Times said the three drugs, which are given to about a million patients a year, represent the single biggest drug expense for Medicare.

Documents given to the Times show one practice in the Pacific Northwest received $2.7 million from Amgen for prescribing $9 million worth of its drugs last year.

A Food and Drug Administration advisory panel will hold a hearing Thursday to consider whether the drugs are overused.

Copyright 2007 by United Press International.