Wednesday, February 04, 2004
Tauzin makes drug policy, then joins drug lobbyists
W.J. "Billy" Tauzin (La.), one of the most powerful Republicans in the House, will not seek reelection when his 12th term expires at the end of this year and will vacate the chairmanship of the Energy and Commerce Committee effective Feb. 16.
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A Democrat until he switched parties in 1995, Tauzin was widely expected to succeed Jack Valenti as president of the Motion Picture Association of America but turned down the job -- and its more than $1 million salary -- late last month.
Soon after, he received a larger offer to head the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA), the trade group that represents drug giants such as Pfizer Inc. and Merck & Co., though no contract has been offered, sources said.
Tauzin was one of the principal authors of the Medicare prescription drug bill, which included several provisions expected to vastly expand the market for prescription drugs among the elderly. In addition to adding hundreds of billions of dollars for drug benefits, the law bars the federal government from directly bargaining down the price of drugs, a provision PhRMA pressed for.
Looks like Tauzin was just getting a headstart on his new job.
posted by chris at 11:07 AM
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