AstraZeneca applauds the appointment of Peggy Hamburg :new FDA Commissioner

AstraZeneca applauds the appointment of Peggy Hamburg :new FDA Commissioner

AstraZeneca applauds the appointment of the new FDA commissioner and while actively being in court defending documents that prove AstraZeneca knew diabetes was a side effect of Seroquel before it went to market.

"AstraZeneca applauds the appointment of Dr. Peggy Hamburg as Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration. Dr. Hamburg will bring a wealth of experience and knowledge that will serve the agency well in these challenging times. AstraZeneca is pleased that President Obama is acting swiftly to appoint a leader with critical responsibilities for consumer protection and innovation.


"In this remarkable new age of scientific innovation, AstraZeneca stands for a strong, well-funded FDA. AstraZeneca is committed to working with Congress, the administration and the FDA to ensure the agency has the resources it needs to protect patients by effectively reviewing life-saving and enhancing medications."
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The FDA advisory panel reviewing Seroquel XR for treatment of depression and anxiety is happening on April 8, 2009. Not to wonder that AstraZeneca will hope the new FDA commissioner is open-minded on the behalf of their company.

AstraZeneca spent $4.5 million dollars lobbying Congress in 2008.

Yes, AstraZeneca sure has ensured the FDA has the resources to get their products approved, $4.5 million dollars spent on lobbying congress speaks for itself. This just begs the question: is this a conflict of interest? do you want pharmaceutical companies that intimately involved in your Government?

AstraZeneca isn't the only drug company to lobby congress. Bristol-Myers Squibb (Abilify), Amgen and Abbott also spent money lobbying for a total of $6 million dollars in the 2nd quarter of 2008.
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