New Pharmaceutical Industry Front Group Formed to Oppose Prescription Drug

[JoFerret]

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=669&ncid=669&e=4&u=/usnw/20040525/pl_usnw/consumer_alert__new_pharmaceutical_industry_front_group_formed_to_oppose_prescription_drug_reform__says_ftcr149_xml


SAN FRANCISCO, May 25 /U.S. Newswire/ -- A new pharmaceutical front group, "CURES," opposing legislation to reimport cheaper U.S. made prescription drugs from Canada has political ties to both the Schwarzenegger and Bush Administrations, according to the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights (FTCR). Coalition members include drug patent owners, pharmacists, Bush Administration appointees, and financial contributors to Governor Schwarzenegger. FTCR asked television and news media to alert consumers of the coalition's conflicts of interest.

Currently, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (news - web sites) and the Canadian government save 30-60 percent off the cost of U.S. made drugs as a result of negotiating lower rates for bulk quantities. AB 1957 and AB 1958 (Frommer, Los Angeles), to be voted on this week by the state Assembly, would facilitate drug importation from Canada and allow small business owners and the uninsured to join a CalPERS-run drug bulk purchasing program.


"The pharmaceutical industry has cobbled together another front group to hide their political agenda to keep drug prices high," said Jerry Flanagan of the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights. "Consumers should know that these groups do not represent the needs of average Californians but the interests of the world's most profitable industry."


According to analysis released yesterday by FTCR, Governor Schwarzenegger has received over $325,000 in campaign contributions form pharmaceutical companies and the legislature has received $550,000. Pharmaceutical companies spent $1 million lobbying the legislature and Governor in the first three months of 2004, a 25 percent increase over the same period in 2003.

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[phantom power]

1. the GOP should oppose this bitterly

seeing that they are all about lasse faire capitalism and all...

[Warpy]

2. GOP pigs are feeding on drug company bribes

I mean campaign contributions. They will back this group and rubberstamp any vicious legislation it proposes.

[maddezmom]

3. front companies and "fake" ads paid with tax dollars...

what's next? Frist really isn't a doctor he just plays one in the Senate? :eyes:

[Boat Guy]

4. Where's his SAG card?

He better not be -- I'll sick SAG on his sorry gluteus if it's true!