Healthy Skepticism Library item: 13611

Warning: This library includes all items relevant to health product marketing that we are aware of regardless of quality. Often we do not agree with all or part of the contents.

Publication type: news

Fitzgerald J.
Glaxo exec blasts state
Boston Herald 2008 May 7
http://www.bostonherald.com/business/general/view.bg?&articleid=1092301&format=&page=1&listingType=biz#articleFull

Full text:

Hits plan to bar drug cos.’ gift-giving to docs

Taking aim at Senate President Therese Murray’s proposed ban on drug firms’ gifts to doctors, the head of GlaxoSmithKline’s U.S. operations is accusing Massachusetts of a “strong anti-biopharmaceutical streak” and bemoaning attempts to “attack and demonize” the industry.

Christopher A. Viehbacher, president of U.S. pharmaceuticals for the British-based Glaxo, sent harshly worded letters earlier this week to Murray, Gov. Deval Patrick and House Speaker Sal DiMasi, suggesting his firm might not invest as much in Massachusetts if “political developments” work to “devalue” its assets here.

Glaxo, one of the world’s largest drug companies, only last month announced it was purchasing Cambridge-based Sirtris Pharmaceuticals. That move came a little more than a year after it purchased Praecis Pharmaceuticals in Waltham.

A Glaxo spokeswoman wouldn’t say what the firm would do if it believed “political developments” didn’t change to its liking in Massachusetts.

But Viehbacher’s letters referred several times to “our current intent” to keep jobs here – while bashing the state on other matters.

Viehbacher, who is based in rival North Carolina’s Research Triangle, praised Massachusetts as potential “fertile ground” for Glaxo – due to its “great research institutions and a cluster of promising biotech companies.”

He went out of his way to praise Patrick’s proposed $1 billion life sciences initiative.

“At the same time, however, I must express my concern – and even alarm – about a strong anti-biopharmaceutical streak that seems to run through the Massachusetts political establishment.”

He pointed out Murray’s bill designed to help cut health-care costs – and specifically to the section dealing with bans on gifts to physicians.

The bill, which has already passed the Senate and is now before the House, threatens fines of up to $5,000 and two years’ imprisonment for violations of a ban on gifts to physcians by drug-firm salesmen.

The proposed gift ban, which supporters say is intended to increase health-care transparency and decrease industry conflicts of interest, applies all the way down to giving out pens bearing company logos.

Viehbacher said the gift-ban provision would make Massachusetts “the most hostile state in the nation when it comes to biopharmaceutical sales.”

Viehbacher’s letters stunned State House leaders, especially with Patrick and legislative leaders poised to pass the life sciences initiative.

A spokesman for Murray declined comment, referring questions to other senators who worked on the bill. They could not be reached for comment.

A spokeswoman for DiMasi said the speaker opposes “criminalization” of gift giving, though wouldn’t comment further.

A spokesman for Patrick said Murray’s bill contains “really good ideas” but the governor is still reviewing the gift-ban provision.