Just came across this article--note the partial list of lobbyists and their former positions in government.....could there not be better societal use of this $$$? remember we are responsible for their enormous profits. and to add to further incredulity --this is lobbying for an end of patent drug--Lipitor goes off patent in <2 yrs....maybe with continuing lobbying that will change also.

http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2008/...ap5091408.html

Associated Press
Pfizer spent $2.8M lobbying government in 1Q
Associated Press 06.06.08, 6:01 PM ET


WASHINGTON - Pfizer Inc., the world's largest drug maker, spent $2.8 million lobbying the federal government in the first quarter, according to a recent disclosure form.

The company lobbied on the importance of protecting pharmaceutical patents internationally, and on free-trade agreements with Peru, Colombia, Panama and Korea. Congress approved the agreement with Peru late last year; the others are still under consideration.

Pfizer (nyse: PFE - news - people ), which makes the world's best-selling drug Lipitor, also lobbied on a bill that would require drug manufacturers to disclose gifts given to physicians by their salespeople, according to the form posted online April 21 by the House clerk's office.

The pharmaceutical industry's chief trade group endorsed the legislation last month after its sponsors, Sens. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, and Herb Kohl, D-Wis., made adjustments to the bill, including raising the dollar amount of gifts that companies would have to disclose.

Additionally, Pfizer lobbied on bills to allow generic drug companies to sell cheaper copies of biotech drugs. Unlike traditional chemical-based drugs, biotech drugs have never faced generic competition because the FDA lacks authority to approve cheaper copies of them. An effort to give FDA that power stalled last year when lawmakers couldn't agree on how many years of patent protection to give biotech firms.

Among those lobbying on New York-based Pfizer's behalf in the first three months of the year were: Anthony Principi, former U.S. Secretary for Veterans Affairs; Lisa Coen, a former director for the National Security Council; John Halliwell, former chief of staff to Rep. Ed Whitfield, R-Ky.; Stephanie Henning, formerly of the House Ways and Means Committee; and Kimberly Pinter, former tax counsel with the U.S. Senate.


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