Data Show Medication Adherence is an Important Factor in the Treatment of Postmenopausal...

Data Show Medication Adherence is an Important Factor in the Treatment of
Postmenopausal Osteoporosis
Poor Adherence Can Lead to Higher Fracture Risk, More Frequent Hospital
Admissions and Higher Medical Costs

DENVER, Sept. 13 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Amgen Inc. (Nasdaq: AMGN) today
announced the presentation of data highlighting the links between medication
satisfaction, adherence to therapy and fracture risk reduction among women
with postmenopausal osteoporosis. The data were presented at the 31st annual
meeting of the American Society for Bone Mineral Research (ASBMR).

"These data enhance our understanding of why many women discontinue treatment
with current osteoporosis therapies, suggesting that convenience,
effectiveness and side effects are important factors," said David Macarios,
executive director for Global Health Economics at Amgen. "This new research
reinforces the view that poor adherence can lead to negative outcomes
including fractures, more frequent hospital admissions and higher medical
costs."

Impact of Treatment Satisfaction (Perceived Benefits, Convenience, Side
Effects) on Persistence with Postmenopausal Osteoporosis Therapy (Abstract No.
SA0317)

Data collected from the Prospective Observational Scientific Study
Investigation Bone Loss Experience (POSSIBLE US(TM)) study showed that women
who were less satisfied with their osteoporosis therapy were more likely to
discontinue or switch their therapy compared to women who were more
satisfied.(i) The prospective registry study enrolled 5,015 patients, the
majority of whom were using an oral bisphosphonate at the time of study entry,
and used the self-administered Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for
Medication every six months to measure patient satisfaction with convenience,
perceived effectiveness and side effects of therapy.

In this study, in which women self-reported their adherence to therapy, 25
percent (n=2402) reported discontinuation of their initial therapy within the
first study year and an additional 7 percent reported that they switched from
their initial therapy to another therapy. Women who were less satisfied with
the convenience of their treatment were approximately 39 percent (adjusted HR
0.72) more likely to discontinue or switch their initial therapy, and women
who were less satisfied with the effectiveness of their treatment were
approximately 25 percent (adjusted HR 0.80) more likely to discontinue or
switch. Furthermore, among women reporting moderate or severe treatment side
effects, those who were less satisfied with treatment were 61 percent
(adjusted HR 0.62) more likely to discontinue or switch.

Comorbidities, Bone Loss and Concomitant Medication Use in European
Postmenopausal Women: POSSIBLE EU((R)) (Abstract No. MO0339)

Amgen also reported preliminary findings from a similar longitudinal cohort
study, the Prospective Observational Scientific Study Investigating Bone Loss
Experience in Europe (POSSIBLE EU((R))), designed to describe the
characteristics and management of postmenopausal women (N = 3,403) receiving
bone loss medication in 5 countries in the European Union (France, Germany,
Italy, Spain and the UK). Data were collected via physician-completed
questionnaires at study entry and at 3-month intervals for 1 year.

Interim analysis showed that at study enrollment, the majority (84 percent) of
patients were receiving oral bisphosphonate therapy and the largest proportion
(31 percent) of patients received 5 or more concomitant medications. Upper
gastrointestinal (GI) problems were common in this population, particularly in
patients who switched bone loss medication at baseline. In this European
population, comorbid conditions and the use of multiple medications were
common. POSSIBLE EU analyses are ongoing exploring the association between
patient characteristics, treatment satisfaction and adherence.

Impact of Adherence to Osteoporosis Medication on Risk of Fracture (Abstract
No. SA0368) and Association Between Adherence to Osteoporosis Medication and
Inpatient Stays and Medical Services Costs (Abstract No. SU0387)

Two retrospective analyses were conducted from a study that examined the
impact of medication adherence on risk of fracture, hospitalization and
healthcare costs among women initiating osteoporosis medication. The two
analyses used medical and pharmacy claims from 32,573 women who initiated
treatment on alendronate, risedronate, teriparatide, ibandronate or raloxifene
in a large U.S. health plan. One analysis showed that patients with low
adherence had a 20.4 percent higher risk of fracture than did patients with
high adherence (p<0.0001).(ii)

A second analysis found that patients with low adherence had a 31.2 percent
higher probability of a hospital stay (p<0.001) and 11.4 percent higher mean
medical costs (p=0.001) versus patients with high adherence, even after
adjusting for other important patient characteristics such as comorbidities,
prior fracture history, and hospitalizations.(iii) The mean monthly medical
costs were significantly higher for low-adherence ($507) vs. high-adherence
($405) patients.

Fracture is one of the most common health events suffered by postmenopausal
women with osteoporosis.(iv) Globally, one woman in three over 50 years of age
will experience a fracture in her lifetime.(3) A woman who has broken a bone
as a result of osteoporosis has more than an eight-out-of-ten chance of
breaking another bone.(v) Half of women who break a hip, a life changing
event, will permanently need assistance to walk.(vi)

Osteoporosis: Impact and Prevalence
Often referred to as the "silent epidemic," osteoporosis is a global problem
that is increasing in significance as the population of the world both
increases and ages. The World Health Organization (WHO) has recently
identified osteoporosis as a priority health issue along with other major
non-communicable diseases.

The economic burden of osteoporosis is comparable to that of other major
chronic diseases; for example, in the U.S., the costs associated with
osteoporosis-related fractures are equivalent to those of cardiovascular
disease and asthma.(vii) (viii) (ix) It has been reported that osteoporosis
results in more hospital bed-days than stroke, myocardial infarction or breast
cancer.(x)

About Amgen
Amgen discovers, develops, manufactures and delivers innovative human
therapeutics. A biotechnology pioneer since 1980, Amgen was one of the first
companies to realize the new science's promise by bringing safe and effective
medicines from lab, to manufacturing plant, to patient. Amgen therapeutics
have changed the practice of medicine, helping millions of people around the
world in the fight against cancer, kidney disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and
other serious illnesses. With a deep and broad pipeline of potential new
medicines, Amgen remains committed to advancing science to dramatically
improve people's lives. To learn more about our pioneering science and our
vital medicines, visit www.amgen.com.

Forward-Looking Statements
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(i) Do T, et al. Impact of Treatment Satisfaction (Perceived Benefits,
Convenience, Side Effects) on Persistence with Postmenopausal Osteoporosis
(PMO) Therapy. Presented at the ASBMR Annual Meeting, September 12, 2009.

(ii) Halpern R, et al. Impact of Adherence to Osteoporosis Medication on Risk
of Fracture. Presented at the ASBMR Annual Meeting, September 12, 2009.

(iii) Iqbal SU, et al. Association Between Adherence to Osteoporosis
Medication and Inpatient Stays and Medical Services Costs. Presented at the
ASBMR Annual Meeting, September 13, 2009.

(iv) Melton LJ, et al. (1992) Perspective. How Many Women Have Osteoporosis? J
Bone Miner Res, 1992;7:1005

(v) Kanis JA, et al. A Meta-Analysis of Previous Fracture and Subsequent
Fracture Risk. Bone, 2004;35:375.

(vi) Magaziner J, et al. Predictors of Functional Recovery One Year Following
Hospital Discharge for Hip Fracture: A Prospective Study. J Gerontol,
1990;45:M101.

(vii) Burge R, et al. J Bone Miner Res. 2007; 22:465-475

(viii) "Osteoporosis Fast Facts." National Osteoporosis Foundation. Accessed
on August 19, 2009 at http://www.nof.org/osteoporosis/diseasefacts.htm

(ix) "Economic Cost of Cardiovascular Diseases." American Heart Association.
Accessed on February 24, 2009 at
http://www.americanheart.org/statistics/10econom.html.

(x) Lippuner K, et al. "Incidence and direct medical costs of hospitalisations
due to osteoporotic fractures in switzerland." Osteoporosis
International.1997;7:414-25.

CONTACT: Amgen, Thousand Oaks
Sarah Reines: (805) 447-9783 (media)
Arvind Sood: (805) 447-1060 (investors)

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SOURCE Amgen Inc.

media, Sarah Reines: +1-805-447-9783, or investors, Arvind Sood:
+1-805-447-1060, both of Amgen, Thousand Oaks