Pharma edges its political contributions between Dems and Republicans

According to the Center for Responsive Politics, Pharma edges its 2008 political contributions between Democrats and Republicans. This is a departure from the last 15 years where Republicans have always been favored. It is interesting to note that GSK, Abbott, Schering Plough and Novartis in that order continue to lean Republican while Johnson & Johnson and Roche make 2/3 of their contributions to Democrats.

While pro-business, former Bain Capital top exec, Matt Romney was an early favorite, McCain ambiguous statements toward Pharma, have had the industry hedge its bets toward Democrats. Obama slightly leads Clinton among Democrats.

Healthcare Policy will clearly continue to be high on the agenda of candidates in a year where recession fears and reality make voters very responsive to promises of better health coverage. We shoud therefore expect the debate to heat up and hope the industry can be pro-active in supporting realistic solutions.