Merck reportedly spent $500,000 on lobbying expenses and campaign contributions in New York as it pushed for a state law requiring girls to get a cervical cancer vaccination. Merck's lobbying activities to push the use of Gardasil around the country raised a storm of protest, particularly from opponents of any state requirements. In Texas, Governor Rick Perry has had to defend a $5,000 contribution his campaign received from Merck on the same day company representatives sat down with state officials to discuss a state mandate. Perry's executive decision mandating the vaccine has encountered fierce resistance in the state legislature. Merck recently announced it was dropping its campaign, saying that it prefers to have the discussion center on women's health.
- read the report on Merck from Newsday
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