In what has to go down as perhaps the least surprising news of the political season, big pharma is panicked that Democrats are going to take over Congress.
Panicked may be too mild a word.
There are two main reasons for pharma’s concern.
1. The Dems may try to enact legislation that would allow the Feds to negotiate with pharma on drug pricing, something that is specifically prohibited by existing law.
2. The FDA’s new drug approval process, which has been under a good bit of scrutiny, may get a very close examination under a very bright light.
Oh, and ex-FDA boss Lester Crawford’s ethical issues may be the subject of Congressional inquiry as well.
While it looks like too little too late, pharma is funneling huge dollars to incumbents (primarily Republicans) in an effort to avoid the bright lights of investigation and an extended appearance at the negotiating table with CMS.
What does this mean for you?
If you’re in the pharma industry, tough times may be on the horizon.
Joe, this seems like rather short-sighted thinking on the part of the Big PharmaCos. Seems to me, they’d be more pragmatic in accepting that the Democratic takeover of at least the House is inevitable, and begin playing that side of the street instead, trying to head off or soften whatever blows might come.
Much as I’d love to believe the Democrats would be more principled when they are in charge, the cynical side of me says money talks just as loudly to them as it does to Republicans.
Or are the lobbyists for Big Pharma just that loyal?