Friday, April 20, 2007

Pharmalot: Congress gets involved in AstraZeneca's Zubegate

The AstraZeneca Scandal: Congress Is Curious
By Ed Silverman

The 'Zube Affair,' as industry insiders now call the swirling accusations of off-label marketing surrounding the drugmaker, has caught the eye of Congressman Pete Stark, according to a congressional aide.

The Democrat from California, who is a member of the House Ways and Means Committee, and currently chairs its health subcommittee, wants to learn more about the allegations that have cropped up over the past two weeks, the source tells Pharmalot.

Already, the HHS Office of Inspector General is "aware" of the allegations that cancer meds were illegally promoted by sales managers and sales reps, although the agency has declined to say whether an investigation is under way.

The Congressional interest, which could result in an investigation, may take the scandal to a new level. Until this week, the two-week-old controversy was largely a topic of interest on the Internet among bloggers and AstraZeneca sales reps.

Story continues here.

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