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TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2009
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20

Drug Makers' Big Spending Pays Off on Hill

Biologics debate shows how lobbyists shape health debate

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(Newser) – Drugmakers could get quite a gift from the health care reform bill. Senate and House amendments passed this summer give the makers of biologics—next-generation wonder drugs derived from living matter—12 years of exclusivity on their hyperexpensive products. That’s 7 more years than normal drugs get, and critics say it’ll cost consumers hundreds of billions of dollars. But the industry's deep pockets buy a lot of influence, Time reports.

The drug industry has spent more than $110 million on influencing Congress this year, employing an average 2.3 lobbyists for every legislator on the Hill. The network extends into think tanks, advocacy groups, and more. “You can't get on the phone with someone who isn't getting paid,” says one biologist. “They give money to everyone and anyone.”

James Greenwood, president and chief executive officer of the Biotechnology Industry Organization, testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington, May 1, 2008.
James Greenwood, president and chief executive officer of the Biotechnology Industry Organization, testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington, May 1, 2008.   (AP Photo/Brendan Hoffman)
Henry Waxman fought for no more than a five-year period of exclusivity for biologics, but so far he's on the losing end.
Henry Waxman fought for no more than a five-year period of exclusivity for biologics, but so far he's on the losing end.   (AP Photo/Ron Edmonds, File)
Rep. Henry Waxman (pictured with Charles Rangel) takes part in the House Democratic Steering Committee forum on health insurance reform, Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2009, on Capitol Hill in Washington.
Rep. Henry Waxman (pictured with Charles Rangel) takes part in the House Democratic Steering Committee forum on health insurance reform, Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2009, on Capitol Hill in Washington.   (AP Photo/Harry Hamburg)
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20 comments
VIEWING:
 
tomodachi
Oct 22, 09 12:49 PM CDT
Two questions: 1. Who got the money? 2. Who should be considered for the new Congressional Job Fail Program? The answer to number one gives you the answer to number two. The US citizens need to be able to fire lawmakers who don't act in the best interest of US citizens. Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
+11
IN RESPONSE:
LovinLife
Oct 22, 09 12:51 PM CDT
Right On!
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+4
IN RESPONSE:
jamerican
Oct 22, 09 2:58 PM CDT
Well we need to start that program right away because we can show that most of our prostitutes in Washington aren't listening to us and acting mainly in their best interest. For starters don't elect attorneys or professional politicians and secondly don't elect them for more than one or two terms so by the time they start selling us out we can replace them.
Vote up! Vote down!
+2
IN RESPONSE:
SPH
Oct 22, 09 6:17 PM CDT
Yeah, "lawmakers who don't act in the best interest of US citizens" should not be re-electe...But, of course, you like YOUR guy....
Vote up! Vote down!
0
IN RESPONSE:
tomodachi
Oct 23, 09 9:23 AM CDT
@SPH: This is one of the fundamental flaws in the US government: A national lawmaker is elected by a local electorate... who is ultimately responsible to the rich and powerful within his district. Yet this person has almost NO responsibility the nation? He spends from the nationally collected tax revenues, but his only worry is getting re-elected by his local constituents? This system produces a plethora of liars and cheaters who make sure their local electorate get just enough of their ill-gotten federal tax dollars to keep them in office. BS BS BS. Senators who wastefully spend our hard earned tax dollars and sleep with corporations or special interests need to be (able to be) fired by the ones who's money they spend.
Vote up! Vote down!
+1

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