Two popular anemia drugs are under scrutiny by an FDA advisory panel because of ongoing concern that the medications may lead to early death in some patients with cancer and other diseases. Experts met with drug makers and FDA officials in an effort to monitor several studies involving the drug erythropoietin (EPO). The drug, which raises red blood cell counts, is popular with cancer patients who develop anemia, or low red blood cells, during chemotherapy. Many doctors favor the drugs because they can help combat the fatigue associated with anemia while avoiding the need for blood transfusions. Meanwhile, makers of Procrit and Aranesp, two EPO drugs available in the U.S., defended their products as relatively safe and suggested that the drugs may even extend patients’ lives. They pledged to move quickly on several ongoing clinical studies aimed at answering lingering safety questions.
