Can Lobbyists Stop Opioid Regulation?

While it’s too soon to know if lobbyists will be able to stop new opioid regulation, they sure are trying. Billions of dollars are at stake, not to mention the millions of lives at risk. Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine sued several big drug makers. His action was followed by lawsuits from eleven other states that have grown tired of the slow current of negotiations. DeWine said the companies are aggressively trying to persuade him and other attorneys general back to the negotiating table. He said these companies have hired lawyers and lobbyists to decrease potential damages. Lobbyists want to save money, not lives.

Lobbyists are donating serious amounts of cash to get access to state attorneys general. In fact, CBS News reports donations to Democrats have jumped to nearly $700,000 and $1.7 million has gone to Republicans over the past three years. And while these donations are legal, what they do is allow drug companies to meet Attorney Generals at outings, meetings, and dinners.

There are rules in place for Congressional lobbying. However, there are no rules for when it comes to lobbying state Attorneys General. Even worse, lobbyists don’t have to report how much they make, who they meet with, or what is said. And don’t expect either party to give away that information.

Legislation is currently being proposed that would:

get non-opioid painkillers approved faster
Strengthen drug enforcement programs
Enhance care measure for children impacted by addiction
Reduce the number of opioids being prescribed
Enhance current prescription monitoring programs

But some bills have already been defeated, while others stalled as moneyed interests dig in. For a deeper look into moneyed interests affecting opioid legislation check out this report from STAT .

 

 

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