Cardiovascular drugs rise near top in Open Payments

Drug makers Bristol-Myers Squibb and Pfizer spent almost $8 million to promote the novel oral anticoagulant Eliquis to physicians, according to an analysis by ProPublica of the Open Payments database. Eliquis, or apixaban, was the second highest drug on the spending list, with AstraZeneca’s Brilinta (ticagrelor) placing third.

The diabetes drug Victoza by Novo Nordisk ranked first. The analysis appeared in the New York Times “Upshot” section.

Candace Stuart, Contributor

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