[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 11 (Tuesday, February 8, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: February 8, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                   PMA CHOOSES NEWSPAPER ADS OVER R&D

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                        HON. FORTNEY PETE STARK

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 8, 1994

  Mr. STARK. Mr. Speaker, practically every week the Pharmaceutical 
Manufacturers Association [PMA] reminds us of its existence through 
absurd ads on the federal page of The Washington Post. In 1993, the PMA 
ran 50 advertisements in the Post--each ad telling the reader that we 
don't need health care reform because the PMA has it under control.
  The problem, Mr. Speaker, is that the PMA's version of health care 
reform is an advertising blitz! Lots of gloss, lots of pretty charts--
and billions of wasted health care dollars!
  A recent PMA newspaper ad campaign tells us that pharmaceutical 
research and development has slowed to its lowest point in 22 years. 
The PMA has never been afraid to predict gloom and doom for its member 
companies--companies that represent the most profitable industry in 
America. The PMA is constantly using scare tactics on Americans, many 
of whom are dependent on prescription drugs for their health.
  What the ad doesn't tell you, Mr. Speaker, is that in 1993, the PMA 
wasted $1.5 million on ads in just five newspapers--The Washington 
Post, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and the 
LA Times. According to the PMA's way of calculating the real investment 
value of R&D, this $1.5 million in cash outlays has a real investment 
value of $16 million in R&D.
  The PMA complains that we face lower levels of R&D spending, but 
somehow they always find a way to spend billions in advertising. Not 
drug research--ads.
  Americans don't need more PMA ads, Mr. Speaker. They need affordable 
prescription drugs. The PMA should stop wasting its money on ads and 
start to become part of the solution to the health care crisis.

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