Leaked Big Pharma Memo: Santorum “leaves a big hole”

[Human Torch]

Leaked Big Pharma Memo: Santorum “leaves a big hole”
By: Nicole Belle on Friday, November 24th, 2006 at 11:03 AM - PST

You know, sometimes the punchlines just write themselves.

WaPo via Huffington Post:



A post-election e-mail to executives at the drug company GlaxoSmithKline details just how tough. "We now have fewer allies in the Senate," says the internal memo, obtained by The Washington Post. "Thus, there is greater risk over the next two years that bad amendments will be offered to pending legislation." The company's primary concerns are bills that would allow more imported drugs and would force price competition for drugs bought under Medicare.

The defeat of Sen. Rick Santorum (R-Pa.) "creates a big hole we will need to fill," the e-mail says. Sen.-elect Jon Tester (D-Mont.) "is expected to be a problem," it says, and the elevation to the Senate of Rep. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) "will strengthen his ability to challenge us. Read on…

http://www.crooksandliars.com/2006/11/24/leaked-big-pharma-memo-santorum-leaves-a-big-hole/

[muntrv]

1. Rick Santorum is a big (ass)hole.

[LittleClarkie]

9. Not enough brains to be an asshole

He might be a pimple on that asshole though.

[ulysses]

2. big pharma is becoming a big issue.

[tridim]

4. Anyone know when "Sicko" comes out?

I must admit I thought Moore jumped the gun on the project, but his timing is turning out perfectly assuming it comes out in the next 6 months.

[proud2BlibKansan]

5. Next June I heard

[Raster]

8. Big pharma has been one of the top three donors to rethuglicans.

Essentially the new Medicare bill was written by them. They are scared to death that the "cannot negotiate for lower drug prices" clause specifically WRITTEN INTO the Medicare bill is going to be overturned. And as well it should. This should be a litmus test for all in Congress. Who is your loyalty to, the citizens of the US or the big pharma lobby? But we already know the answer, now don't we... Yessiree, santorum is a good Christian. What will Grandma do, eat or buy her outrageously overpriced drugs???

[tridim]

3. Only a fascist would consider "price competition" a "bad amendment"

It doesn't get much more obvious than this.

[Wilms]

7. Why do they hate capitalism?

"The company's primary concerns are bills that would...force price competition"

[LittleClarkie]

10. I thought Republicans believed in the free market

So what's the problem with competition?

[JuniperLea]

6. We need to keep the pressure on our Dems in high places!

This is precisely the kind of thing America is sick of and it's all part of the reason we gave them a mandate in this past election.

[bullimiami]

11. the war against the people. big republicans, big pharma.

big money.

they dont care a whit for those who suffer, only about maximizing profit and consolidating power.

[AndyTiedye]

12. Awwwww. Perhaps This Tiny Violin Concerto Will Help Calm Those Aprehensive Pharm Executives

:nopity::nopity::nopity::nopity::nopity::nopity::nopity::nopity::nopity::nopity:

[OzarkDem]

13. And Sherrod Brown means problems for them

Sherrod has been challenging them for years. Not that he is opposed to them, he just doesn't like the price gouging they do.

[LeftishBrit]

14. From all I can gather, Santorum HAS a big hole - in his head!

[williesgirl]

15. Good, let these assholes be nervous for a change. Fuck all of them.

recommended

[Straight Shooter]

16. Wait and see. Big Pharma will start screaming that they cannot afford research.

That will be their excuse, "We charge what we charge so we can continue research into better and more promising drugs." Total bull. Not much basis in the truth of the matter.

You know what Big Pharma does? It's like a bandwagon effect. One manufacturer will come out with a drug, and it turns out to be a big seller. Say, for example, a cholesterol drug. Next thing you know, it seems cholesterol is "the" big health problem of the day, and whaddaya know, seems like every member of Big Pharma has their own version of a cholesterol-reduction drug.

I think there are good people in Big Pharma, but they're in the labs, for the most part, or they work within the companies and don't really recognize what's going on. But the salespeople and the people at the top, look out. They know exactly what's going on.

More and more people without health insurance also means more $$$ in Big Pharma pockets, because people who pay cash will disproportionately pay far far more for their prescriptions than people who have health insurance, since the insurance companies are able to bargain down the prices. It's like a perverse subsidy of prescriptions for the wealthier, paid for by the poor.

Then there's the issue of hospital formularies and how hospitals are able to bargain down the prices of drugs they carry, and how sometimes a better drug is kicked off the formulary or never gets on the list at all because a competitor of a similar drug, even if it's not as efficacious, offered a better deal to the hospital.

Money money money. It's all about money. Stockholders are willing participants in this game, too.

Rant off. :(

[MiniMe]

17. I'm sure that HCA Frist is part of that big hole too

Of course, they had ample warning about Frist because he didn't even run.

[Laelth]

18. k&r for THE TRUTH

We knew they were gouging us. It was obvious to anyone who had eyes to see. Now, finally, they admit it.

Let the light of day shine!

:dem:

-Laelth

[drm604]

19. Price Competition.

Yo GlaxoSmithKline, it's called free enterprise - you know, competition.

Have you ever noticed that some of the biggest players in the game of capitalism don't actually believe in capitalism?

[OzarkDem]

20. Absolutely true

Competition is the last thing they want.

[Cocoa]

21. big a-hole leaves

[Joe Bacon]

22. Big Pharma is afraid of Bob Casey, too!

Casey repeatedly said he would push to force Medicare D to bargain with comapnies for price reductions, the same way they do with the VA.

[drm604]

23. I am so happy that I voted for Casey and that he won.

He's not perfect, but on issues like this he'll work to do the right thing. :applause: