In June 2009, Amgen initiated the Neulasta FIRST STEP™ Program to provide assistance to eligible low income commercially-insured chemotherapy patients who need help affording their Neulasta® (pegfilgrastim) co-insurance or co-payment requirement. The Neulasta FIRST STEP™ Program is the first medical benefit co-pay card in oncology and Amgen’s latest addition to its long-standing patient assistance programs designed to meet the unique needs of each patient to help cover the cost of Amgen’s medicines.

During the first cycle of a new chemotherapy regimen started by December 31, 2009, Amgen will pay an eligible patient’s entire Neulasta co-insurance or co-payment requirement. For all subsequent chemotherapy cycles, Amgen will pay the patient’s Neulasta co-insurance or co-payment amount in excess of an eligible patient’s required portion of $50 per Neulasta treatment. Eligible patients can be enrolled in the Neulasta FIRST STEP™ Program for their entire course of chemotherapy. Once treatment is completed, eligible patients may reapply for program benefits if they require a subsequent course of chemotherapy. For detailed eligibility and enrollment information for the Neulasta FIRST STEP™ Program, patients should contact their physician.

“In 2008, Patient Advocate Foundation published their Patient Data Analysis Report summarizing the access experience of thousands of patients served by PAF throughout the country reporting that 65 percent of these patients faced a medical debt crisis that resulted in lack of access to healthcare or reduction in services provided. Ninety-three percent of those patients were insured. The program that Amgen is announcing will provide financial support to many patients confronting not only a battle with their life-threatening conditions but a battle to sustain access to important therapies,” said Nancy Davenport-Ennis, chief executive officer of the Patient Advocate Foundation.

For additional information about the Neulasta FIRST STEP™ Program and full Neulasta prescribing information, please visit www.neulasta.com.

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