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news.AstraZeneca PLC (AstraZeneca) has spent over $1.3 million for lobbying the US federal government in the third quarter of 2008. AstraZeneca lobbied on electronic prescriptions, consumer advertising, extending a research and development tax credit, as well as on patent protection and trade issues. The company also lobbied on a bill to provide better coverage for mental health and addiction treatment.
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The company lobbied on allowing the US government, rather than private insurers, to negotiate discounts under the Medicare prescription drug benefit, which provides medications to seniors. The company also lobbied on increased funding for the Food and Drug Administration, which approves all medications in the US.
The company lobbied on the importation of cheaper prescription drugs from Canada and other foreign countries. Proponents say foreign competition would help drive down domestic drug prices, but the pharmaceutical industry argues imports would expose consumers to counterfeit products. The issue failed to gain traction in Congress.
Besides Congress, AstraZeneca lobbied the departments of Treasury and Health and Human Services, as well as the US Trade Representative’s office, according to a form filed October 20, 2008 with the House clerk’s office.
Kenneth Levinson, a former legislative aide to Sen. Jay Rockefeller, D-W.Va., was among those lobbying on the company’s behalf in the July-September period.