FDA Cites Biogen Idec for Misleading Web Promotions of MS Drug Avonex

In a recent letter to drugmaker Biogen Idec, the Food and Drug Administration faulted the company’s web pages promoting the multiple sclerosis drug Avonex.

FDA’s Office of Prescription Drug Promotion, in the “untitled” letter to Biogen, said the web pages titled “Long Term Results” and “Multiple Sclerosis Treatments” for a website promoting Avonex (interferon beta-1a) IM Injection overstate the efficacy of Avonex, omit material information, and present unsubstantiated superiority claims for the drug.

Because of this, FDA said, the company’s web pages misbrand Avonex in violation of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.

The March 14 letter was addressed ...