disrupter
11-13-2007, 11:01 AM
Lobbying stalls generic drug legislation
By FREDERIC J. FROMMER, Associated Press Writer
WASHINGTON - Legislation aimed at speeding the availability of cheaper generic drugs has stalled in Congress in the face of major lobbying by the drug industry.
The Senate bill would ban most settlements known as "reverse payments," in which a brand-name company pays a generic manufacturer to delay the introduction of the generic drug. The Federal Trade Commission, which has called on Congress to take action, says such settlements could cost American consumers billions of dollars.
An Associated Press review of lobbying reports, from July 1, 2006, through June 30, 2007, found that $38.8 million was spent by at least a dozen generic and brand-name companies and their trade associations on issues including the Senate legislation. The lobbying reports do not specify how much of that money was directed at the reverse payment bill, and they are not required by law to do so.
More than half of those expenses were piled up by the Pharmaceutical Research & Manufacturers of America, or PhRMA, which represents brand-name drug companies. PhRMA spent $19.5 million in the 12-month period ending June 30 on in-house lobbying expenses, an increase of about $3 million over the previous 12-month period.
. . . .
"Lobbyists have a lot of influence in Washington," said the bill's sponsor, Sen. Herb Kohl, who chairs the Senate Judiciary subcommittee on antitrust, competition policy and consumer rights.
"If we can just get this to a vote, it will be pretty hard for people to vote against it. A vote against this is a vote against consumers."http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071113/ap_on_go_co/generic_drug_lobbying;_ylt=Ahmt4iPErUIpY6Z7ekus2N. s0NUE
Lobbyists are again hijacking the interests of the American people.
Call your congress persons, get them off the dime on this one.
By FREDERIC J. FROMMER, Associated Press Writer
WASHINGTON - Legislation aimed at speeding the availability of cheaper generic drugs has stalled in Congress in the face of major lobbying by the drug industry.
The Senate bill would ban most settlements known as "reverse payments," in which a brand-name company pays a generic manufacturer to delay the introduction of the generic drug. The Federal Trade Commission, which has called on Congress to take action, says such settlements could cost American consumers billions of dollars.
An Associated Press review of lobbying reports, from July 1, 2006, through June 30, 2007, found that $38.8 million was spent by at least a dozen generic and brand-name companies and their trade associations on issues including the Senate legislation. The lobbying reports do not specify how much of that money was directed at the reverse payment bill, and they are not required by law to do so.
More than half of those expenses were piled up by the Pharmaceutical Research & Manufacturers of America, or PhRMA, which represents brand-name drug companies. PhRMA spent $19.5 million in the 12-month period ending June 30 on in-house lobbying expenses, an increase of about $3 million over the previous 12-month period.
. . . .
"Lobbyists have a lot of influence in Washington," said the bill's sponsor, Sen. Herb Kohl, who chairs the Senate Judiciary subcommittee on antitrust, competition policy and consumer rights.
"If we can just get this to a vote, it will be pretty hard for people to vote against it. A vote against this is a vote against consumers."http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071113/ap_on_go_co/generic_drug_lobbying;_ylt=Ahmt4iPErUIpY6Z7ekus2N. s0NUE
Lobbyists are again hijacking the interests of the American people.
Call your congress persons, get them off the dime on this one.