After November 7, 2006: Drug Companies Hire Lobbyists with Ties to Democrats

Concerned about Democratic plans (see After November 7, 2006) to push for lower drug prices and tighter regulation of the pharmaceutical industry, drug companies begin communicating with Democrats and recruiting lobbyists with Democratic connections. [New York Times, 11/24/2006]
Billy Tauzin, president of the drug lobbying organization Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PRMA), meets with Senator Byron L. Dorgan, a North Dakota Democrat who has spent six years pushing for legislation that would allow drug imports from Canada. [New York Times, 11/24/2006]
Amgen, a biotechnology firm, retains George C. Crawford, a former chief of staff for Representative Nancy Pelosi (D-Ca), as a lobbyist. [New York Times, 11/24/2006]
Merck hires Peter Rubin, a former aide to Representative Jim McDermott of Washington. [New York Times, 11/24/2006]
Cephalon contracts Kim Zimmerman, a health policy aide to Senator Ben Nelson (D-Ne). [New York Times, 11/24/2006]
The Biotechnology Industry Organization retains Paul T. Kim, a former aide to Senator Edward M. Kennedy (D-Ma) and Representative Henry A. Waxman (D-Ca). [New York Times, 11/24/2006]
One unnamed medicare expert who works for House Democrats tells the New York Times in late November that he received three separate job offers in one day from the drug industry. [New York Times, 11/24/2006]