Bioterror Gives Drug Industry New Lobbying Opportunity

As the government works on its plan to prevent and respond to bioterrorism, the pharmaceutical industry has rolled out an "enormous lobbying campaign" to help shape that plan, as well as "influence major policy decisions," the New York Times reports. The "large and politically adroit" brand-name pharmaceutical lobby has 625 registered lobbyists and had a $197 million combined lobbying and campaign contribution budget in 1999 and 2000 -- larger than any other industry. Over the last few weeks, top executives from Merck, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Bayer, Pfizer, Eli Lilly and Johnson & Johnson have been meeting regularly with Bush cabinet members. As a "gift to the nation," executives have offered to send "scores" of their scientists to work at government agencies on bioterrorism issues. The executives, who have said they plan to "give away" drugs and vaccines in the bioterrorism fight, "have gone to great lengths to say they are not going to profit" from their participation in the anti-bioterrorism effort, the Times reports. However, the companies are seeking exemptions from antitrust regulations, a reduction in the timetable to get new bioterrorism-related drugs to the market and immunity from lawsuits for bioterrorism-related vaccines. In meetings with pharmaceutical executives, Bush administration officials have asked the executives to "identify the regulatory barriers they would like to see eliminated for this fight," the Times reports. The industry's moves also are aimed at "build[ing] political capital for legislation pending before Congress and later as well."

Not So Fast
Such a partnership is "troubling" to industry watchdog groups, who have said that the "cozy relationship" could compromise regulatory standards on new medicine applications. Further, the "industry's efforts to present its proposals as patriotic gestures marks an effort to increase its power in Washington and improve its image while still protecting its financial interests," critics say. Dr. Sidney Wolfe, director of Public Citizen's health research group, said, "I am concerned that the industry is trying to subvert the normal regulatory process. These meetings have no transparency, no openness nor any involvement of the public. It's a dangerous precedent." William Nixon, CEO of the Generic Pharmaceutical Association, said, "This is a huge issue to [brand-name drug makers]. They will do everything in their power to maintain their monopoly. There is no question about that" (Wayne/Peterson, New York Times, 11/4). For comprehensive public health information from the CDC on anthrax and other bioterrorism issues, please visit www.bt.cdc.gov.