PhRMA Prepares Strong Medicine

June 9, 2003
The drug industry is girding for battle.

The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA), the trade association which represents the drug industry, plans to spend at least $150 million in the coming year to fight price controls, influence how, and if, prescription drug benefits are provided to the elderly, and subsidize organizations which agree with its positions, The New York Times reported.

• $72.7 million for lobbying Congress;
• $4.9 million to lobby the Food and Drug Administration;
• $48.7 million for lobbying at the state level;
• $17.5 million to fight price controls and protect patent rights.

There is even $1 million set aside "to change the Canadian health care system" and another $450,000 to stop online Canadian pharmacies from supplying low-price prescriptions drugs to U. S. citizens.