12. There is no collusion between drug companies and politicians.

• Merck is one of the largest pharmaceutical donors to the Republicans, giving about $450,000 every campaign cycle since 2000. Merck also gives much more indirectly through the industry lobbying group, the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America. (September 26, 2005 - Political Affairs Magazine)


• Overall, the pharmaceutical industry has given more than $53 million to the Republican Party since 2000. (September 26, 2005 - Political Affairs Magazine)


• The Medicaid health-insurance program for low-income and disabled people is overpaying for prescription drugs by hundreds of millions or even billions of dollars a year, according to three inspector-general reports. (June 29, 2005 - The Seattle Times)


• Pfizer CEO Hank McKinnell has raised more than $200,000 for Bush's reelection. Until last year he served as chairman of the board for Pharma. Pfizer spent $3.7 million on Washington lobbying in 2003. (Independent Media TV October 4, 2004)


• This kind of strategy - presidents named Bush teaming up with the prescription drug industry - is not a new thing. ( June 28, 2005 - Seattle Post-Intelligencer)


• When George W. Bush and the U.S. pharmaceutical industry team up in Washington, you know it’s bad news for U.S. consumers. (June 28, 2005 - Seattle Post-Intelligencer)


• The pharmaceutical and health-products industry last year gave $17.5 million to political campaigns - two thirds of it to Republicans, according to an analysis by the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics. Recipients included President Bush's campaign, which got more than $1 million, as well as House Speaker Dennis Hastert, R-Ill., and DeLay. Democrats who got industry money included presidential candidate and Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., and Sen. Evan Bayh, D-Ind. (June 9, 2005 - The Courier-Journal)


• According to the American Jobs Creation Act, signed into law by President Bush in October 2004, a tax break for corporations is allowing the biggest American drug makers to return as much as $75 billion in profits from international havens to the United States while paying a 5.25 percent tax rate, a fraction of the standard 35 percent rate. (Times Argus ? May 8, 2005)


• In 2003, Pfizer spent $3.7 million on Washington lobbying and lead the industry's effort against importation. It has also threatened to blacklist any Canadian pharmacies that sell drugs to Americans. (Independent Media TV - January 31, 2005)


• Hank McKinnell, chief executive New York-based Pfizer, the world's biggest drug maker, raised more than $200,000 to help reelect Bush, whose campaign opposed drug importation on safety grounds. (January 27, 2005 - North Jersey.com)
• The drug companies have strong advocates in President Bush and the republican led congress. They have bought the loyalty of these people ensuring there will only be minor tinkering with the status quo. (Peace, Earth & Justice News - December 26, 2004)
• According to the Center for Responsive Politics, the drug industry paid out more than $26 million in 1999-2000 to U.S. congressional candidates. Money-hungry politicians both Republican and Democrat alike will never be willing to take on the pharmaceutical industry. (American Daily - December 16, 2004)
• It is time for American consumers to ask tough questions. We must question our elected officials as well as our doctors, both benefit from the tremendous profits being raked in by the drug industry. (American Daily - December 16, 2004)
• Rep. Bill Thomas (R-CA) who is the chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, counts drug manufacturers Eli Lilly and Allergan as his top two campaign contributers. Sen. Bill Frist (R-TN) received $260,000 from the drug industry during the 1999-2000 campaign season. (American Daily - December 16, 2004)
• According to the Center for Responsive Politics, a nonprofit group that monitors political contributions, Pfizer and its PACs are the largest contributors among drug companies, forking out $1.15 million in the 2004 cycle, with two-thirds of that amount going to Republicans. (Independent Media TV October 4, 2004)
• Bristol Myers Squibb and its employees have given over $4 million to federal candidates and party committees since 1999, over 80% to Republicans. Former Bristol Myers Squibb CEO, Charles Heimbold is no longer CEO because he was appointed by Bush to be US Ambassador to Sweden. (Independent Media TV October 4, 2004)
• Pfizer CEO Hank McKinnell has raised more than $200,000 for Bush's reelection. Until last year he served as chairman of the board for Pharma. Pfizer spent $3.7 million on Washington lobbying in 2003. (Independent Media TV – October 4, 2004)
• According to the Center for Responsive Politics, a nonprofit group that monitors political contributions, Pfizer and its PACs are the largest contributors among drug companies, forking out $1.15 million in the 2004 cycle, with two-thirds of that amount going to Republicans. (Independent Media TV October 4, 2004)
• Drug companies will pocket 61% of the new Medicare Prescription Drug spending as profits. As a result of Bush’s Medicare bill, the drug industry will receive an additional $139.2 billion in profits over the next eight years. That will amount to 61% of the spending bill for prescription drugs. (Democratic National Committee August 13, 2004)
• Drug companies have contributed over $6.5 million to the Bush Campaigns and affiliated entities. Health care providers have contributed over $5.5 million to the Bush campaigns and affiliated entities. Insurance Industry has contributed over $12 million to the Bush Campaigns and affiliated entities. ((Democratic National Committee August 13, 2004)
• Schwarzenegger must make good on his promise to ignore special interests, and his $325 million in campaign contributions from drug companies, and do the right thing.  He should lead Californians in seeking relief from skyrocketing prescription drug bills.  His support could play a crucial role in convincing the federal government to go along with the California legislation.  (Mercury News - July 30, 2004)
• According to an analysis by FTCR (Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights) Gov. Schwarzenegger has received over $342, 000 in campaign contributions from pharmaceutical companies. (US Newswire – August 18, 2004)
• What we don't see are the dollars the federal government spends for basic research that drug companies turn into profits. What we don't see are the tax dollars the drug companies don't pay because they've gotten assorted favors from Congress favors given in return for "campaign contributions." (The Wilmington Star – August 10, 2004
• The Pharmaceutical industry devoted at least $85 million US to lobbying Congress and the Bush administration last year. (September 1, 2004 Associated Press)
• Pharmaceutical industry employees have given at least $11.5 million to national party committees and presidential and congressional candidates this election cycle. Roughly two-thirds went to Republicans. (September 1, 2004 Associated Press)
• Companies whose employees have given the most to federal candidates and party committees this election: Pfizer, at least $1.1 million; GlaxoSmithKline, $765,545; Johnson & Johnson, $584,985. (September 2, 2004 The Associated Press)
• Pfizer's chief executive Hank McKinnell, is one of Bush's biggest fundraisers. (Bloomberg News August 3, 2004)

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