Dems beat out Republicans for life sciences cash

The U.S. life sciences industry dug deep and came up with $168 million to lobby Congress last year. That figure reflects a 32 percent hike in spending and marks a sea change in political strategy as Democrats replaced Republicans as the primary beneficiaries of the increased cash flow, according to the Center for Public Integrity.

The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America came up with the biggest chunk of the money--$22.7 million--while BIO shelled out $7.2 million. Over the last 10 years the industry has spent more than a billion dollars in its ongoing effort to influence lawmakers' decisions.

In exchange the industry could count some major victories, including legislation that speeds drug approvals, the defeat of proposed restrictions on DTC ads and added protection against generics.

- read the article from the Wall Street Journal

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