“Amgen’s move has provoked an outcry from patients who say the company is robbing them of their only hope. ‘It’s almost the same thing as a diabetic losing their insulin’…

The story of Amgen’s drug shows the clash between the faith of patients and the cold logic of science and business. At a time when public debate is focused on whether unsafe drugs like Vioxx are remaining on the market too long, this story shows patients who are more than willing to accept risks to get a drug. Their willingness also raises an ethical question: If a company stops developing a drug for safety or efficacy reasons, is it obligated to continue supplying it to patients from its clinical trials?” (New York Times )