Wyeth Spent $876K In 1Q Lobbying On Health Issues

Wyeth lobbied on U.S. participation in international health programs, global public health issues and on domestic and international vaccine issues. The company's Prevnar vaccine against seven pneumococcal diseases brought in about $2.7 billion last year, and Wyeth is seeking U.S. approval to sell a version that blocks 13 diseases.

The company also lobbied on the importance of protecting pharmaceutical patents in trade agreements, and against efforts to allow cheaper prescription medicines to be imported from foreign countries. Proponents say foreign competition would help drive down U.S. drug prices; the pharmaceutical industry warns that could expose Americans to counterfeit medications.

Wyeth also lobbied for an extension of a tax credit designed to reward companies for investing in research and development, and on taxes paid by international operations of American corporations, according to the form filed April 22 with the House clerk's office.

The company also lobbied on bills that would allow generic drug companies to sell cheaper copies of biotech drugs — which could compete with its $3.8 billion-a-year rheumatoid arthritis treatment, Enbrel. Unlike traditional chemical-based drugs, biotech drugs have never faced generic competition because the FDA lacks authority to approve the cheaper copies of them. The issue is getting traction in Congress now.