A year-long investigation into the country's drug industry

Industry of Influence

Special Report
Drug Lobby Second to None
How the pharmaceutical industry gets its way in Washington
WASHINGTON, July 7, 2005 - The pharmaceutical and health products
industry has spent more than $800 million in federal lobbying and
campaign donations at the federal and state levels in the past seven
years, a Center for Public Integrity investigation has found. >>

FDA: A Shell of its Former Self
The Food and Drug Administration lacks the power to regulate
pharmaceuticals and keep you safe
WASHINGTON, July 7, 2005 - Thalomid is a popular treatment for a
progressive blood disease known as multiple myeloma-a cancer of the
plasma cells that is responsible for more than 10,000 deaths annually
in the United States. The drug accounted for more than three-quarters
of the $377 million in revenue generated last year by its manufacturer,
New Jersey-based Celgene Corp. In fact, the global pharmaceutical
company's Web site proclaims that Thalomid is "the current driver of
Celgene revenue growth." >>

Surrogates for Their Agenda
How the drug industry uses non-profits to push its interests
WASHINGTON, July 7, 2005 - Chances are, the commercial is familiar,
seen more often than not at dinnertime: a middle-aged woman begins a
discussion by saying, "I can't even believe I'm talking about this." >>

Checkbook Politics
Over the last seven years, the pharmaceutical industry has given $150
million in campaign contributions
WASHINGTON, July 7, 2005 - The pharmaceutical and health products
industry has given nearly $150 million to federal and state candidates
and parties, along with some political non-profits, in the last four
election cycles, a Center for Public Integrity analysis of campaign
finance records revealed. Sixty-five percent, or almost $100 million,
went to Republicans. >>

A Timeline of Political Clout
Here's what the pharmaceutical industry has gotten on its political
investment
July 7, 2005 - Thirty-three of the 40 countries PhRMA requested be
put on the U.S. Trade Representative's "Special 301" list appear on the
list. Inclusion in the Special 301 report establishes intellectual
property issues-such as patents-as a priority in bilateral
discussions between the United States and the designated country. >>

http://publicintegrity.org/rx/default.aspx?act=3Darchives
Center for Public Integrity
Investigative Journalism in the Public Interest