Product Tampering

Amgen Inc. told health-care providers it has received reports of tampering involving its two best-selling products, Epogen and Neupogen. The letter, dated Feb. 13, was released through the Food and Drug Administration’s MedWatch system. Amgen’s letter said the company received three reports of tampering. The Thousand Oaks-based company said the tops on eight vials of the drugs, which come in liquid form, had been removed and the liquid replaced with another solution. Theft was the likely motive for the tampering, according to Amgen spokesman David Kaye. “It appears this is an apparent effort to conceal a product theft as opposed to an attempt to injure people,” Kaye said. The company said it hasn’t received any reports of patients using solutions from adulterated vials, which first appeared six months ago. Though the liquid in the vials doesn’t appear to be toxic, the company said the solution isn’t sterile and could pose a safety risk. Amgen plans to put a statement on its Web site today.