Third Quarter 2018 Lobbying Spend: Up, At Amgen; Level At Pfizer And Merck, Compared To 2017...

We are decidedly late with this (as we've been busy, with other priorities) -- but Pfizer continues to outspend Merck, and Amgen outspends them both -- that's the overall 2018 year-long story. The graphic at right updates our ongoing series, here.

Here is some of what the biggest spender, Amgen, lobbied on -- this past quarter:

. . . .Biosimilars, no specific bill; Prescription drug value issues, no specific bill; S. 469 Affordable and Safe Prescription Drug Importation Act; H.R. 1245 Affordable and Safe Prescription Drug Importation Act; S.Con.Res.3 A concurrent resolution setting forth the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2017 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2018-2026 (importation, non-interference); 340B Protecting Access for the Underserved and Safety-Net Entities (340B PAUSE Act). ; S. 2042 Reducing Drug Waste Act of 2017; H.R. 6142 Reducing Drug Wastage Act of 2018; FDA issues, no specific bill. . . .

Medicare Part B coverage and reimbursement issues Coding and reimbursement for oncology drugs/biologics/biosimilars; 340B Protecting Access for the Underserved and Safety-Net Entities; S. 2312 "Helping Ensure Low-Income Patients have Access to Care and Treatment" (HELP Act); S 2453 "Ensuring the Value of the 340B Program Act of 2018"; H.R. 5598 "340B Optimization Act"; Senate Report 115-289 to accompany S.3158 Appropriations bill for the Department of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and related agencies for the fiscal year 2019; H.R. 6142 Reducing Drug Waste Act ; H.R. 4710 to the name Protecting Access for the Underserved and Safety-Net Entities; H.R. 6 -- Substance Use-Disorder Prevention that Promotes Opioid Recovery and Treatment for Patients and Communities Act or the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act; H.R 6157 -- Department of Defense and Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Act, 2019 and Continuing Appropriations Act, 2019; HR 6505 - Medicare Negotiation and Competitive Licensing Act (Doggett compulsory licensing bill). . . .

International tax issues, including: H.R.1: An Act to provide for reconciliation pursuant to titles II and V of the concurrent resolution on the budget for fiscal year 2018; Puerto Rico Tax Incentives. . . .

S. 974 CREATES Act of 2017; S. 124 Preserve Access to Affordable Generics Act; Issues related to drug patents and exclusivities (no bill); H.R. 6 -- Substance Use-Disorder Prevention that Promotes Opioid Recovery and Treatment for Patients and Communities Act or the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act. . . .

Now you know -- with Amgen really ramping up the spend -- compared to its market cap. Onward -- to a fun and busy week ahead!

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