Is PhRMA reneging on statements its chair made about a “deal” with the White House to prevent Medicare from negotiating with Pharma as part of Obama’s health reform package? The lobby’s vice president is refuting claims that chairman (and former Louisiana congressman) Billy Tauzin confirmed a deal had been reached between the two parties that would leverage the government’s spending on drugs beyond an agreed amount of cost savings over the course of a decade.

At stake is over $150 million in ads by the influential lobby supporting the Obama administration’s efforts at reform. If Congress decides to pass legislation prohibiting industry price controls at the hands of Pharma, allowing Medicare to negotiate prices across the board, could this be a PR firestorm just waiting to happen for either side? The president may have gained support from Pharma for his reforms, but at what potential costs to him, fellow Democrats, and his constituency? | LINK

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