Big pharma defends lobbying expenses
Drug makers spent $155 million lobbying the federal government from2005 to mid-2006, setting a record that they could top this year asCongress considers high stakes legislation for the industry andconsumers, a public interest group said in a report Monday. Researchersat the nonpartisan Center for Public Integrity said that the drugindustry spent nearly $111 million on lobbying in 2005, a record forthe sector in any one year. The record pace appeared to be sustained inthe first half of 2006, the report said. Pharmaceutical industry officials said the report distorted theindustry’s role in Washington, which they say is primarily educationaland scientific. They said industry spending was designed to ensure thatnew drugs for intractable illnesses get government approval to bemarketed. “TheCenter for Public Integrity’s report, not surprisingly, misses the markwhen it comes to efforts by America’s pharmaceutical research companiesto educate policymakers,” said Ken Johnson, senior vice president atthe Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America. “Our priorityhas always been to help advance patient health and … we have supportedpolicies and programs that bolster patient access to safe and effectivemedicines.” Lobbying is only one facet of the industry’sinfluence. Drug company sources also accounted for more than $19million in political contributions to candidates in last year’scongressional election, mainly Republicans. And user fees paid by drugmakers make up more than half the budget of the Food and DrugAdministration centers that evaluate new drugs.