The pharmaceutical industry is among the largest lobbying interests in Washington. This project investigates its political influence and the consequences on the American public.
Coming Up
Look for a Center series exploring
loopholes in the drug patent system
In Your State
Pharmaceutical Industry Snapshot
Compare the States
National average price per prescription in 2003: $52.97 *
See how the states stack up
Nationwide lobby spending (2003-2004)
Nationwide campaign donations (2001-2004)
* Source: Kaiser Family Foundation
WASHINGTON, April 1, 2007 — Manufacturers of pharmaceuticals, medical devices and other health products spent nearly $182 million on federal lobbying from January 2005 through June 2006, a Center for Public Integrity study of disclosure records shows. >>
WASHINGTON, December 13, 2006 — When George W. Bush proposed his five-year, $15 billion initiative to "turn the tide against AIDS" in the developing world in 2003, he said the availability of low-cost drugs to fight the disease "places a tremendous possibility within our grasp." >>
WASHINGTON, August 30, 2006 — Members of Congress and their aides accepted more than $600,000 in free travel from pharmaceutical interests during a 5½-year period in which drug company profits climbed, in part due to federal legislation favorable to the industry. >>
WASHINGTON, April 6, 2006 — Fighting a flurry of legislative and public policy initiatives aimed at reducing prices and slicing drug budgets, the pharmaceutical industry spent more than $44 million on lobbying state governments in 2003 and 2004, a Center for Public Integrity analysis of lobbying records has found. >>