Ad Campaign Reeks of Big Pharma
Statement of Peter Maybarduk, Director, Public Citizen’s Access to Medicines Program
Note: The American Action Network plans to spend $4 million in an ad campaign targeting 28 Republican-held congressional districts attacking the Lower Drug Costs Now Act (H.R. 3) and bolstering in its place the GOP-sponsored H.R. 19, which excludes some of H.R. 3’s critical price-cutting measures.
This ad blitz may as well come from Big Pharma itself.
The American Action Network has received millions in contributions from the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA), the patent-based drug industry’s primary lobbying group. These contributions total at least $16 million over the past 10 years, including $2.5 million last year.
By attacking H.R. 3, pharma’s front groups just show that corporations fear losing their ability to charge outrageous prices, as well they should.
| PhrMA Contributions to American Action Network | ||
| Year | Amount | Source |
| 2018 | $2,500,000 | 990 |
| 2017 | $1,500,000 | 990 |
| 2016 | $6,058,825 | 990 |
| 2012 | $1,500,000 | 990 |
| 2011 | $5000 | 990 |
| 2010 | $4,500,000 | 990 |
| Total: | $16,063,825 | |