Drug companies threatening to oppose health bill

Miami Herald (AP) ^ | January 16, 2010 | Alan Fram

[Cheap_Hessian]

WASHINGTON -- The drug industry is threatening to end its support for President Barack Obama's health overhaul effort because of a rift with the administration over protecting brand-name biotech drugs from low-cost generic competitors.

In an e-mail obtained Friday by The Associated Press, the president of the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America told the trade group's board members that "we could not support the bill" if the industry is given less than 12 years of competitive protection for the expensive products.

Obama and House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Henry Waxman, D-Calif., are leading the drive to shorten that period, which proponents argue would be a boon to consumers.

"Please activate immediately all of your contacts," said the e-mail from Billy Tauzin, the group's president.

The pharmaceutical industry has been a crucial supporter of Obama's health effort, having spent many tens of millions of dollars on advertising and lobbying in support. Drug companies should profit from the millions of additional people who would be able to afford health coverage under the legislation.

The threat comes with White House officials and Democratic congressional leaders nearing an agreement on compromise legislation reshaping the nation's health care system.

With a deal so close, it was unclear whether the partnership between drugmakers and the administration was truly in jeopardy, or if the e-mail represented an effort by the industry to pressure the White House to drop its effort to shorten the period of competitive protection for biotech drugs.

[Muzzle_em]

why the heck did they support it in the first place?!!
When you make a deal with the devil, you ALWAYS get burned!

[cripplecreek]

This is just an attempt to wrangle a better deal for themselves.

[Cheap_Hessian]

Well, everybody is getting a bribe these days.

[wita]

Regardless of the outcome, it is evidence enough that this bill never should have made it this far and we can place blame for that progress directly on those who are trying to make a deal with the devil.

[HANG THE EXPENSE]

Did they really think he would’nt get around to screwing them as well.Dumb sumbitches.

[usual suspect]

we could not support the bill” if the industry is given less than 12 years of competitive protection for the expensive products.

Didja know the average cost to bring a new drug to market is one billion dollars? The FDA requires a myriad of hoops, politics and barriers for approval. Many FDA cronies end up on boards of directors for drug companies as payback or political intrigue. Who would invest in drugs and drug companies if there is not the possibility of profit? Does your 401k have a mutual fund that includes pharmaceuticals? The generics and knock-offs will eventually come from China. KEEP GOVERNMENT OUT of all aspects of American entrenpreneurship of business.

[maggief]

http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/blogs/beltway-confidential/Coakley-in-trouble-Pharma-and-HMO-lobbyists-to-the-rescue-81067542.html

Here are some of Coakley fundraiser hosts with some of their current health care clients:

* Thomas Boggs, Patton Boggs: Bristol-Myers Squibb
* Chuck Brain, Capitol Hill Strategies: Amgen, BIO, Merck, PhRMA
* Susan Brophy, Glover Park Group: Blue Cross, Pfizer
* Steven Champlin, Duberstein Group: AHIP, Novartis, Sanofi-Aventis
* Licy Do Canto, Raben Group: Amgen
* Gerald Cassidy, Cassidy & Associates: U. Mass Memorial Health Care
* David Castagnetti, Mehlman, Vogel, Castagnetti: Abbot Labs, AHIP, Astra-Zenaca, General Electric, Humana, Merck, PhRMA.
* Steven Elmendorf, Elmendorf Strategies: Medicines Company, PhRMA, United Health
* Shannon Finley, Capitol Counsel: Amgen, Astra-Zeneca, Blue Cross, GE, PhRMA, Sanofi-Aventis.
* Heather Podesta, Heather Podesta & Partners: Cigna, Eli Lilly, HealthSouth
* Tony Podesta, Podesta Group: Amgen, GE, Merck, Novartis.
* Robert Raben, Raben Group: Amgen, GE.

[imskylark]

I heard a statement yesterday that really wrapped things up on this, ‘if this is such a good bill,why does everyone want an exemption.’

[Citizen Tom Paine]

When you sup with the Devil use a long spoon. The drug companies were nuts to back the Administration’s health reform bill.

[Buckeye Battle Cry]

How many votes do they have in the Senate?

The whores showed their true colors in this entire boondoggle. Did they honestly believe that a crooked shyster like Obama and the crooks in the Dem party would uphold their end of the bargain?

[nurees]

Biotech products run in excess of $1B - average is two to three to develop. Losing out on the exclusivity period coupled with price controls coming down the road will kill much innovation.

[kevslisababy]

My first thought was “collusion”

[dfwgator]

A pox on both their houses.

[mike-zed]

The only semi-satisfying thing that could come out of this monstrosity passing is eventually seeing these drug and insurance companies that got into bed with Obama being taken out to the woodshed by their “partner”.

[freekitty]

Business as usual. Americans are not thought about at all.

[Vaduz]

Sounds like the 60’s mob wars.

[Moonman62]

If the time is shortened the drug companies will have to charge more in order to make back their costs and turn a profit.

[Diogenesis]

AG Martha Coakley (D) oversees Michael Meehan’s attack
[her goon, Obama’s appointee and SEIU’s and PhRMA’s rep]
on an unarmed, innocent, unsuspecting reporter.