Illinois Atty General sues drugmaker Amgen, alleging consumer fraud

Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan has sued drugmaker Amgen, alleging violations of the Consumer Fraud Act.

Madigan, on behalf of the state of Illinois, filed a lawsuit Aug. 18 in Cook County Circuit Court against Amgen Inc.

According to the complaint, Amgen violated portions of the Consumer Fraud Act by misrepresenting the drugs it makes under the names Aranesp and Enbrel, which are used by consumers to treat anemia (Aranesp) and multiple conditions (Enbrel), most notably chronic and severe plaque psoriasis, as drugs for uses not approved by the Food and Drug Administration.

Madigan and the state seek damages of more than $50,000 for each willful violation of the Consumer Fraud Act, and all costs for the prosecution and investigation of this action. The state is represented by E. Paige Boggs, assistant attorney general for the Consumer Fraud Bureau in Chicago.