LOS ANGELES, June 16 (Reuters) - The U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) said on Wednesday it has opened a review of its coverage of anemia drugs used to treat patients with kidney disease, both on and off dialysis.
The drugs, made by Amgen Inc and Johnson & Johnson , have come under increased scrutiny after data from trials showed they could raise the risk of heart problems.
An outside panel of experts told the U.S. government health plan in March that they were confident that use of the drugs, called erythropoiesis-stimulating agents, in chronic kidney disease patients could cause harm.
CMS said it is accepting public comments on the issue through July 16 and expects to issue a decision memo in March of next year.
(Reporting by Deena Beasley; editing by Carol Bishopric) Keywords: AMGEN MEDICARE/ (deena.beasley@thomsonreuters.com; + 1 213-955-6746) COPYRIGHT Copyright Thomson Reuters 2010. All rights reserved. The copying, republication or redistribution of Reuters News Content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Thomson Reuters.
The drugs, made by Amgen Inc and Johnson & Johnson , have come under increased scrutiny after data from trials showed they could raise the risk of heart problems.
An outside panel of experts told the U.S. government health plan in March that they were confident that use of the drugs, called erythropoiesis-stimulating agents, in chronic kidney disease patients could cause harm.
CMS said it is accepting public comments on the issue through July 16 and expects to issue a decision memo in March of next year.
(Reporting by Deena Beasley; editing by Carol Bishopric) Keywords: AMGEN MEDICARE/ (deena.beasley@thomsonreuters.com; + 1 213-955-6746) COPYRIGHT Copyright Thomson Reuters 2010. All rights reserved. The copying, republication or redistribution of Reuters News Content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Thomson Reuters.