The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America spent $4.65 million in the second quarter as it lobbied the federal government on issues that included patent reform and Medicare reimbursement rates, according to a recent federal filing.
The spending by the group called PhRMA marks a 24 percent decline from the $6.15 million it spent on lobbying in the second quarter of 2009 and a 34 percent drop from the $7 million spent in the first quarter of 2010.
The group focuses on lobbying issues for companies within the pharmaceutical industry. Lobbying issues during the April to June period included Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement rates, patent reform, and drug importation and trade issues.
PhRMA lobbied Congress, the White House, the Department of Commerce, the Department of Health and Human Services, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, and the Food and Drug Administration.
It disclosed its latest lobbying in a form filed July 20 with the House clerk's office.
