Merck's Q1 Lobby Spending Is Almost Double Last Year's Q1, And Nearly Above [Gargantuan] Pfizer's -- From Last Year's Q1...

This is, admittedly, a complete surprise. To be fair, Pfizer will likely always be about 30% bigger than Merck, on NYSE market cap and asset base -- and thus, lobby spending.

But this huge jump in Q1 2026, for Merck seems. . . out of character, over the past seven or so annual cycles. [In the next in this series, we will add in the Amgen spend, which has fallen by almost as much as Merck's has. . . risen. Odd.]

Why now? Why so much -- in each direction?! We are abidingly curious -- especially compared to the peer group. In any event, see my chart at right, and the below, filed on April 20 [and look for a four way version, with Amgen in, tonight or tomorrow]:

. . .[Senate] S. 1339, Pharmacy Benefit Manager Reform Act; S. 2076, Pioneering Antimicrobial Subscriptions To End Upsurging Resistance (PASTEUR) Act of 2021. . . .

Issues relating to: 340B program integrity; 340B of the Public Health Services Act; 340B issues; 340B drug pricing program; Drug pricing; Drug pricing and reimbursement issues; Cost and value of medicines; Vaccine issues; Package inserts and e-labeling; Package inserts, labeling issues, and e-labeling authorization legislation; Pharmaceutical supply channel issues; Drug shortages issues; Inflation Reduction Act (P.L. 117-169), issues relating to drug pricing provisions; One Big Beautiful Bill Act (P.L. 119-21), issues related to health care; FY-2027 Budget and Appropriations Legislation; Budget reconciliation drug pricing provisions; Commerce Justice, Science, and related agencies appropriations legislation for 2026; Interior, Environment, and related agencies appropriations legislation for 2026; Intellectual property protection and trade issues; Animal Health Policy Issues; Animal Drug User Fee Act (ADUFA) & Funding for Electronic Animal Traceability; General pharmaceutical issues; Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP); Vaccine Policy; Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM) policy issues; Pharmacy Benefit Manager reforms; Food and Drug Administration issues; Public Health Issues; Most Favored Nation (MFN) drug pricing; Section 232 National Security Investigation of Imports of Pharmaceuticals and Pharmaceutical Ingredients; International competition in biopharmaceuticals. . . .

[US House] Issues relating to: One Big Beautiful Bill Act (P.L. 119-21), issues related to health care; Medicare; Medicare Part B and D drug pricing issues; 340B program integrity; 340B of the Public Health Services Act; 340B drug pricing program; Drug pricing; Cost and value of medicines; Drug pricing and reimbursement issues; FY-2027 Budget and Appropriations Legislation; Medicaid drug rebate program (MDRP). . . .

[Taxes] Issues relating to: Tax reform and tax policy, generally; Inflation Reduction Act (P.L. 117-169), provisions relating to budget reconciliation and taxes; Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (P.L. 115-97), provisions relating to tax reform. . . .

[Animal Health] Issues relating to: Animal Health Policy Issues; Animal Drug User Fee Act (ADUFA) & Funding for Electronic Animal Traceability; Agriculture, Rural Development , Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill, 2026; Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill, 2026; Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill 2026. . . .

That is -- overall, a rather stunning reversal in spend levels. Mr. Davis must believe that the arms of the federal government may be bent / bought, with enough. . . lucre. Wow -- under Trump, that might be true. Onward.

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