Pelosi’s drug pricing bill is in the hands of the most pharma-friendly Democrats 

Three key Democrats who control the fate of Nancy Pelosi’s sweeping drug pricing legislation are among those who’ve received the most money from pharmaceutical company political committees, STAT’s Lev Facher writes. It’s a sign that while Washington’s tone on pharma may have shifted, when it comes to showering influential lawmakers with campaign gifts, it’s still business as usual. 

Among them are Rep. Richard Neal (D-Mass.), the chair of the House Ways and Means Committee, who accepted $111,500 from pharma PACs in the 2018 election cycle — fifth-most of any lawmaker. Rep. Frank Pallone (D-N.J.), the Energy and Commerce Committee chairman, received $98,500, good for ninth-most. 

Rep. Anna Eshoo (D-Calif.), who the advocacy group Patients for Affordable Drugs Now attacked in 2018 for her rich history of pharma funding, now chairs the Energy and Commerce health subcommittee, giving her a key role in the drug pricing legislation. In a statement, P4ADNOW’s executive director Ben Wakana said the group “will continue to hold members of Congress accountable when they take money from pharma and do the drug industry’s bidding.” More here.