Fosamax Maker Not Part of Osteoporosis Drug Ad Lawsuit
June 05, 2006While the makers of Boniva and Actonel battle it out in court over Boniva ad claims, Merck, the maker of Fosamax has not yet become a part of the lawsuit. Hoffman-LaRoche Inc., Boniva's maker, has been asked to stop claiming the drug is as effective as Proctor and Gamble's Actonel and Merck's Fosamax, the market leader.
In a lawsuit brought in U.S. District Court, P&G; said Boniva has been proven effective only against spinal fractures while Actonel has been proven to also reduce the risk of clavicle, hip, humerus, leg, pelvis and wrist fractures, and Fosamax has been proven to also reduce the risk of hip and wrist fractures. Merck is not a party in the lawsuit.
Lawyers for Hoffman-LaRoche claim that the lawsuit stems simply from Proctor and Gamble's fear of losing market share since Boniva is a once-per-month drug while Fosamax and Actonel must be taken once-per-week.