Big Pharma Gains Amicus Support After $4.8M in Contributions

In July 2024, Bristol Myers Squibb and Johnson & Johnson appealed a federal ruling that dismissed their lawsuits challenging the Medicare Drug Negotiation Program, which aims to lower drug costs for millions of Americans. This appeal, filed with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, follows an April decision by Judge Zahid Quraishi, who ruled that the companies’ claims of unconstitutional price controls were unfounded, emphasizing that participation in Medicare is voluntary.

Notably, several organizations filing amicus briefs in support of this appeal have strong financial ties to Big Pharma. Since 2019, these groups have received nearly $4.8 million from the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA). Additionally, Bristol Myers Squibb and Johnson & Johnson have close connections to these organizations through memberships and sponsorships, raising concerns about the influence of pharmaceutical funding in shaping legal and policy outcomes.

This case has sparked a broader conversation about the role of pharmaceutical companies in resisting cost-saving healthcare reforms and the impact of lobbying on the accessibility of affordable medication for Americans.