While many Americans are anxiously waiting for health care reform pharmaceutical companies are strongly committed to influence Congress and federal policies on drug prices and drug coverage. Pharmaceutical companies are willing to spending an astonishing amount of money on lobbing.
Since 2006, the health care sector has spent $1.7 billion lobbying Congress and federal agencies, more money than any other sector of the economy (Steinbrook, 2009). Between January and September 2009, health care interests spent 396.2 million (Steinbrook, 2009). The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA), which represents pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, spent $20.2 million in the first 9 months of 2009 (Steinbrook, 2009). Blue Cross Blue Shield, including the national association and local companies, spent 16.7 million during the first nine months of 2009 (Steinbrook, 2009). And, Pfizer, the pharmaceutical company, spent $16.3 million, a spokeswoman for Pfizer said the company ‘wanted to make sure our voice id heard in this conversation” (Steinbrook, 2009).
The health care sector has always spent more money lobbying Congress and federal agencies than on campaign contributions. Pharmaceutical companies have an ancient history of favoring the Republican Party. Recently, this pattern has changed. During the first 9 months of the 2-year 2010 election cycle, the health care sector, as well as the insurance industry, contributed more money to Democrats than to Republicans (Steinbrook, 2009). Considering that the Democrats control the White House and the Congress under the Obama administration, this approach will benefit the health care sector.
While the Pharmaceutical companies would like to prevent from lowering their drug prices the