Ethics Complaint Filed Against PHRMA

"The Maryland Citizens' Health Initiative has filed a seven-page complaint on March 18 with the State Ethics Commission about the hardball lobbying tactics employed by the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America and its grassroots firm, Bonner & Assocs.," O'Dwyer's PR Daily reports. "The non-profit group is an advocate of universal healthcare and a backer of a Maryland bill that would lower the cost of prescription drugs for Medicaid patients and the uninsured. PhRMA opposes the bill. The complaint charges that PhRMA and B&A are in violation of the state's lobbying disclosure laws. B&A has been sending faxes to community groups claiming the measure would limit freedom of choice for patients, and make it harder for poor people to get the medicines they need. Those faxes carry the letterhead of the Consumer Alliance, which is a Michigan group. They have a 'grassroots mobilization hotline number' that connects with B&A's office."