Industry Spends $8M to Thwart Drug Bill

WASHINGTON -- The pharmaceutical industry's trade group spent $8.5 million in lobbying this year as it worked against a bill to allow importation of government-approved drugs.

The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America spent the money lobbying Congress and federal agencies in the first half of this year, the most the group has ever spent in a reporting period, according to federal reports reviewed by The Associated Press. Lobbying totals cover expenses such as salaries and mailings but not campaign contributions.

Despite the group's effort, the House passed the importation plan in July as part of legislation to provide a Medicare prescription drug benefit. The Senate passed a watered-down version of the importation proposal, and congressional negotiators are trying to reconcile the differences.

more......

http://www.newsday.com/news/politics/wire/sns-ap-drug-industry-lobbying,0,3299166.story?coll=sns-ap-politics-headlines

nt

pass the pills.

Corporate dishonesty knows no limits.