#phrma

Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA), the pharmaceutical industry’s largest trade association, floods the American government with millions of dollars to knock down medication price control measures.

The drug industry has waged a widespread campaign to influence American policy, lobbing both sides of the aisle. PhRMA brought in a record $459 million from drugmakers in 2018. They are using that funding to fight drug pricing proposals from congressional Democrats, Democratic candidates, and even the Trump administration. The top recipients of PhRMA funding were conservative groups that work to combat “socialist” price controls.

top recipients

American Action Network: the conservative dark money group, took in $10 million from PhRMA since 2016, who invariably advocate pro-drugmaker policies. In August 2019 AAN launched a $2.5 million ad campaign to fight “socialist” price controls in Medicare Part D. In June, AAN launched a $3 million ad campaign in support Trump’s proposed drug rebate rule (pulled in July).

The National Sheriff’s Association, which represents thousands of elected sheriffs, received at least $900,000 in grants from the Partnership for Safe Medicines (a nonprofit funded by PhRMA) ran a six-figure television ad campaign urging Trump to reject proposals that allowed the importation of generic prescription drugs from Canada.

The Council for Affordable Health Coverage: a lobbying organization representing health industry stakeholders including drug companies, took in $725,000 from PhRMA between 2017 and 2018. CAHC took part in a “listening session,” at White House in July urging against drug price controls.

The American Conservative Union, a righ-wing advocacy group, received $150,000 from PhRMA in 2017, then lobbied lawmakers not to adopt “socalist policies” that would control drug prices.

FreedomWorks: the conservative dark money group, received $100,000 from PhRMA in 2018 and then ran a digital ad campaign fighting “the socialist rate-setting scheme.” They signed on to the November 2018 letter opposing the Trump administration’s proposed rule to create price controls for drugs administered under Medicare Part B.

Consumer Action for a Strong Economy: a Koch backed Super PAC received $170,000 from PhRMA signed the November 2018 letter opposing the Trump administration’s proposed rule to create price controls for drugs administered under Medicare Part B.

Taxpayers Protection Alliance: a Koch backed advocacy group, received $65,000 from PhRMA also signed the November 2018 letter opposing the Trump administration’s proposed rule to create price controls for drugs administered under Medicare Part B.

Institute for Policy Innovation: a conservative a think tank, received $35,000 from PhRMA also signed the November 2018 letter opposing the Trump administration’s proposed rule to create price controls for drugs administered under Medicare Part B.

Competitive Enterprise Institute: a right-wing advocacy group, received $25,000 from PhRMA also signed the November 2018 letter opposing the Trump administration’s proposed rule to create price controls for drugs administered under Medicare Part B.

Heritage Action for America: a conservative PAC, received $37,500 in 2018 from PhRMA and then ran ads aimed at Congressional Reps to reject the “socialist” price control measures.

top candidate recipients

$90,500 Total in Contributions from this PAC to federal candidates - 2020 cycle (49% to Democrats, 51% to Republicans)

Schrader, Kurt (D-OR) - $6,000

Graham, Lindsey (R-SC) - $4,000

Eshoo, Anna (D-CA) - $3,500

Kind, Ron (D-WI - )$3,000

Murphy, Stephanie (D-FL) - $2,500

Bucshon, Larry (R-IN) - $2,500

Collins, Doug (R-GA) - $2,000

Kelly, Mike (R-PA) - $2,000

Kuster, Ann (D-NH) - $2,000

Nunes, Devin (R-CA) - $2,000

Peters, Scott (D-CA - )$2,000

Cassidy, Bill (R-LA) - $2,000

Gardner, Cory (R-CO) - $2,000

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source:

Opensecrets.org, Big Pharma bankrolled conservative groups that pushed industry message to Trump, tax returns show, Karl Evers-Hillstrom, November 15, 2019 https://www.opensecrets.org/news/2019/11/big-pharma-bankrolled-conservative-groups-tax-returns-show/

Opensecrets.org, Pharmaceutical Research & Manufacturers of America, November 21, 2019 https://www.opensecrets.org/orgs/summary.php?id=D000000504

STAT News, ‘Don’t be a Bernie Bro’: Inside conservatives’ brazen campaign to sabotage Trump’s signature drug pricing plan, Lev Facher, July 29, 2019 https://www.statnews.com/2019/07/29/conservative-campaign-against-drug-prices/