The Politics of Big Pharma
Yesterday’s post highlighted the political lobbying efforts of the pharmaceutical industry. In addition to being the biggest single lobbying entity in Washington, big pharma is contributing to the political campaigns of unprecedented numbers of federal and state politicians. According to a recent survey by the Center of Responsive Politics, employees and political action committees within the industry gave $133 million over a six-year period to the campaigns of candidates running for federal and state offices. Most of these contributions flowed through the “soft money” gray areas between federal and state campaign finance laws. Most recipients were Congressional members who sit on committees that decide on pharmaceutical issues.
Lobbying and campaign contributions are not the only ways the pharmaceutical industry influences congressional actions. The Center for Public Integrity reports that, during a 5 1/2-year period from early 2000 to 2005, lawmakers and staffers accepted at least 325 free trips valued at over $600,000 from pharmaceutical companies for trade groups. This perk for congressional offices seems to be on the rise. In 2000, the drug industry spent $53,000 on these trips. That figure increased each year peaking at $181,000 at the end of the Center’s report period. Typically, the number of these trips surges just prior to votes on significant legislation that has a major impact on the industry.
Physicians, biologists, naturopaths, and others are introducing new natural cancer treatment medicines and methods with increasing frequency. Many of these new discoveries have been approved after scientific testing while others are in the clinical trial process. But how does any cost effective, natural therapy modality compete in the politically charged pharmaceutical market? When politicians and political agencies influence the funding streams for medical schools, major medical laboratories, and medical centers, it is difficult for complementary therapy options to find a seat at the big pharma table. When politicians and political agencies influence the policies of medical institutes, medical education, and insurance agencies, it is difficult for integrative practitioners to be heard above the voices of big pharma. Unconventional cancer therapy advocates outside of the medical community must augment the integrative medicine professionals to form a tidal wave of influence that will capture the attention of government officials and pharmaceutical executives. I will provide specific suggestions on how to do this in a later post. In the meantime, learn all you can about integrative oncology and support its research and programs. The cancer war CAN be won.