RagingTantrum.com

Check out these outrageous facts, courtesy of DailyPaul.com, an unofficial site promoting Congressman Ron Paul. Click on the link for more on the American pharmaceutical industry.

– The pharmaceutical industry has… the largest lobby in Washington, with more lobbyists than elected representatives, and it contributes heavily to political campaigns. Over the past two decades, Congress has enacted a series of laws that practically ensure windfall profits to the pharmaceutical industry, at public expense. For example, the Medicare prescription drug benefit enacted in 2003 specifically prohibits Medicare from negotiating for lower drug prices.

–The part of the FDA that approves new drugs receives half its support from drug companies. The FDA reviews drugs for safety and effectiveness before they are allowed on the market, but drug companies pay large “user fees” in return for quick reviews. That means the agency is beholden to the industry it is supposed to regulate. (Sounds a hell of a lot like Wall Street, doesn’t it? We all know how well that turned out! –RT)