Baxter spent $720K lobbying government in 3Q

Baxter spent $720K lobbying government in 3Q
Associated Press, 11.25.08, 03:52 PM EST

Drug and medical device maker Baxter International Inc. spent $720,000 lobbying on health care issues in the third quarter, according to a recent disclosure report.

The company lobbied on bills affecting Medicare payments, patent reform and regulation of imported medicines. Baxter also lobbied on government reimbursement for kidney dialysis treatment as well as increased funding for kidney disease education. It markets the blood thinner heparin which is used by kidney patients to prevent clotting during dialysis.

The Deerfield, Ill.-based company also lobbied on various bills to improve the safety of drugs and devices imported from foreign countries. Congress has stepped-up efforts to assure the safety of foreign medications in the past year, after a Baxter blood thinner manufactured in China was linked to allergic reactions and death. The Food and Drug Administration said the problems were likely caused by a contaminant introduced during production.

Baxter opposed an effort in Congress to reform the U.S. patent system. High-tech companies support the bill that passed the House last year, saying it would cut down on frivolous patent-infringement lawsuits. But the pharmaceutical industry has argued it will weaken patent protections on drugs by reducing infringement penalties. The bill has stalled in the Senate and is not expected to pass this year.

The company also lobbied on a bill designed to give the FDA authority to approve generic versions of biotech drugs. Unlike traditional chemical drugs, biotech drugs have never faced generic competition because the FDA lacks authority to approve cheaper copies.
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Besides Congress, Baxter also lobbied the departments of Commerce, State and Health and Human Services, according to the form filed Oct. 20 with the House clerk's office.

Deborah Williams, a former staffer with the House Ways and Means Committee, was among those lobbying on the company's behalf.

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