1990 Annual Report

STA TE GO VERNMENT AFFAIRS SECTION

The State Government Affairs Section worked on more than 160 legislative and regulatory
proposals in 47 states during the past year. Of most importance were Medicaid cost-containment issues,
including proposals to restrict formularies, institute volume-purchase plans and restrict budgets. Various
controls on the marketing and prescribing of prescription drugs, including multiple-copy prescriptionform requirements and sampling regulations, also were considered. Tort reform and product liability measures
continued to receive attention, as did changes in state generic substitution laws.
The Section's major objectives are to develop a good working relationship between the
industry and state policymakers, and to influence state policies affecting PMA members.
Education, information and lobbying activities are conducted for state legislative health
leaders.

1990-91 CHAIRMAN
George H. Ross
Marion Merrell Dow Inc.

The Section-which is composed of the state government affairs directors
of member companies-has a 15-member Executive Committee and ad hoc committees on special issues and projects.
PMA BOARD LIAISON
Douglas G. Watson

PMA STAFF LIAISON
Woodrow M. Allen
Vice President

WASHINGTON REPRESENTATIVES SECTION

The Washington Representatives Section worked on legislative issues of major concern to
the research-based pharmaceutical industry.
Of most importance, the Section focused on proposals by Senator David H. Pryor (D-AR) to limit
Medicaid reimbursements for prescription drugs through the creation of a national restrictive formulary.
The Section helped to inform Members of Congress and their staffs about the detrimental effects of restrictive
formularies on patients and budgets and about the serious public-health deficiencies
of such proposals. The Section also worked on tax issues, FDA funding and user fees,
Clean Air Act amendments, product liability and reauthorization of the Orphan Drug
Act, among many other key issues.
The Section is composed of the federal government and congressional relations executives and associate staff members of PMA companies.

1990-91 CHAIRMAN
Joseph S. Jenckes
Abbott Laboratories

PtIA STAFF LIAISON
Michael L. Reed
ice President.
Go'ernnient Relations

PMA BOARD LIAISON
Charles A. Sanders, M.D.

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