Report finds 32% increase in drug industry lobbying spending in 2007

The pharmaceutical industry spent $168 million on lobbying in 2007, a 32% increase over the previous year, according to a report released Tuesday by the Center for Public Integrity, the Wall Street Journal reports.

Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, the industry's primary lobbyist, accounted for $23 million in lobbying expenditures, a 26% increase over 2006 spending and the largest portion of the industry's overall spending (Mundy, Wall Street Journal, 6/25). The Biotechnology Industry Organization spent $7.2 million, while the remaining funds were provided by individual companies (Goldstein, "Health Blog," Wall Street Journal, 6/24). Amgen spent $16.2 million, the most among pharmaceutical companies, while Pfizer spent $13.8 million (Wall Street Journal, 6/25). The pharmaceutical and medical device industries have spent more than $1 billion on lobbying in the last decade, according to the report ("Health Blog," Wall Street Journal, 6/24).

The report also notes that for the first year on record the industry contributed more money to Democrats -- who "have been traditionally less friendly to drug corporations" -- than Republicans.

According to the Journal, the "efforts paid off on some important issues." Pharmaceutical lobbyists contributed to the effort that successfully blocked some restrictions on direct-to-consumer advertising and funded efforts that renewed bills that expedite FDA approval of drugs and medical devices. The pharmaceutical industry also successfully lobbied for extended protections against generic competitors and against the reimportation of lower-cost drugs (Wall Street Journal, 6/25).

"As the biggest lobby on the Hill, the pharmaceutical industry wields tremendous influence that impacts everything from prescriptions to patents," Bill Buzenberg, CPI's executive director, said. He added, "The central point is that their massive spending has been highly successful, largely producing the political results the drug industry wants."

The report also shows that in the current election cycle beginning in 2007, the drug and health products industry has given $14.4 million in campaign contributions to federal candidates, including $6.8 million to members of three committees that regulate the industry: the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, the House Ways and Means Committee and the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (Cohen, Newark Star-Ledger, 6/25).

The report is available online.