Senators who weakened drug bill got millions from industry

[babylonsister]

http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2007-05-10-senators-drug-bill_N.htm

Senators who weakened drug bill got millions from industry


WASHINGTON — Senators who raised millions of dollars in campaign donations from pharmaceutical interests secured industry-friendly changes to a landmark drug-safety bill, according to public records and interviews.

The bill, which passed 93-1, grants the Food and Drug Administration broad new authority to monitor the safety of drugs after they are approved. It addressed some shortcomings that allowed the painkiller Vioxx to stay on the market for years after initial signs that it could cause heart attacks.

However, the powers granted to the FDA in the bill's original version were pared back during private meetings. And efforts to curb conflicts of interest among FDA advisers and allow consumers to buy cheaper drugs from other countries were defeated in close votes.

more...

[Socal31]

1. Yes....

We really need the FDA to "monitor" drugs more closely. Like when they are produced here, sent to Canada,and sold RIGHT BACK to us. (end sarcasm)

Drug companies and politicians in bed together are the main reasons that:

1. As stated above, no cheap drugs from Canada
2. Marijuana is considered having "no medical benefit" WTF?
3. Strong stimulants a.k.a. Government Speed (Ridalin, Adderall, etc) are force-fed to our children daily because they "dont learn"


IMHO

:)

[babylonsister]

2. Welcome to DU, Socal31!

:hi:

[OneBlueSky]

3. the sad fact of life in Congress is that both Republicans and Democrats are . . .

under the control of the mega-corporations that fund their campaigns . . . until that changes, nothing much else will either . . .

[ProSense]

4. That article is completely misleading!

According to the article:

The pharmaceutical companies spend more money on lobbying than any other single industry — $855 million from 1998 to 2006, according to the non-partisan Center for Public
Integrity.

Pharmaceutical interests and PAC monies.

Senator Kerry's campaign funds come from individual donations. He is not among the top recipients of pharmaceutical PAC money (he is most likely at the very bottom: last). From the Center for Responsive Politics:

2006: 1 Nancy L. Johnson (R-CT) $216,710

2004: 1 Richard Burr (R-NC) $184,498

2002: 1 Nancy L. Johnson (R-CT) $189,992

2000: 1 Orrin G. Hatch (R-UT) $153,965

Since 1989, Senator Kerry has recieved $3,154 from Health PACs.

[Democrafty]

5. Yes, it is. n/t

[Truthseeker013]

6. Senators who weakened drug bill got millions from industry

"The only war on drugs the sanctimonious swine are winning is the old to keep old folks on fixed incomes from filling their scrips in Canada or Mexico. And Ray Charles could see who was making out on that deal."- Andrew Vachss, "Mask Market"