Four drug companies spend $6 million lobbying congress

"Four Big Pharma companies spent some serious cash to lobby congress in the second quarter of 2008. A common concern was legislation that would allow FDA to approve less-expensive generic versions of biotech drugs, as was a bill to update the U.S. patent system (the latter remains stalled in the Senate). Likewise, implementation of Medicare drug benefits for seniors was a hot topic."

Bristol-Myers Squibb spent $830,000 lobbying government over various drug and patent issues.

Amgen spent nearly $2.9 million lobbying the federal government.

Abbott Labs, which makes drugs and medical devices, spent more than $1 million.

AstraZeneca spent more than $1.3 million lobbying during the second quarter. AstraZeneca had interests in the Medicare prescription drug benefit for senior, but also lobbied Congress on intellectual property and trade issues, on importation of cheaper prescription drugs from foreign countries and on increased funding for FDA. AstraZeneca also lobbied the U.S. Trade Representative's office, as well as the departments of Treasury and Health and Human Services during the period.

Four Drug Spend 6 million lobbying congress-Fierce Pharma

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AstraZeneca spent more than 1.3 million lobbying-Forbes

WASHINGTON - "British drugmaker AstraZeneca PLC spent more than $1.3 million in the second quarter lobbying the U.S. federal government on pharmaceutical issues, according to a recent disclosure form.

The company also lobbied on increased funding for the Food and Drug Administration, which approves all medications in the U.S.

Kenneth Levinson, formerly a legislative assistant to Sen. Jay Rockefeller, D-W.Va., was among those lobbying on the company's behalf."