Biogen warned over internet adverts
Tuesday April 07 2009
Elan's multiple sclerosis research partner, Biogen Idec, is among a number of pharmaceutical firms to receive warning letters from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) about sponsored links on internet search engines for their most important drugs that fail to provide required safety information. The letter to Biogen involves its multiple sclerosis drug Tysabri, which it co-develops with Elan.
In letters posted on the FDA website, Biogen and fellow pharma firm Sanofi were ordered to rectify the problems cited regarding promotional material and to submit a written response by April 9 stating whether they intend to comply.
"We take our responsibility to communicate appropriately about the risks and benefits of our products seriously," said a Biogen spokeswoman.
"We are working with FDA closely to resolve this situation."
The letter to Biogen says sponsored links for Tysabri on search engines "fail to communicate any risk information associated with the use of this product".
Tysabri has been linked to cases of a potentially fatal brain infection called progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy, or PML.
- Ailish O'Hora
