Amgen spent $2.5M lobbying on biotech in the first quarter

Biotech drugmaker Amgen Inc. spent $2.5 million lobbying the federal government in the first quarter of 2008.

Amgen lobbied on legislation that would allow the Food and Drug Administration to approve generic copies of biotech drugs.

Generic drug companies already market cheaper versions of regular, chemical drugs, but the FDA does not have the authority to approve copies of biotech drugs, which are more complicated.

The biotech industry resisted efforts to create a generic biotech industry for nearly a decade. But with Democrats poised to pick up more seats in Congress this November, they are now pushing for a compromise before the political tide in Washington turns further in favor of their generic rivals.

Last year biotech makers opposed a bill that would have allowed pharmacists to switch patients to cheaper medications without their doctors approval. The industry argued that only a doctor should be able to switch a patient's prescription to a generic. That distinction could let branded drug companies hold on to more sales.

They also want biotech medicines to be guaranteed at least 12 years on the market before having to compete with generic copies. Generic drug makers say any protection beyond five years is unreasonable. Senate lawmakers attempted to pass a compromise bill last year, but negotiations broke down over the length of exclusivity.

Amgen also lobbied on the implementation of the Medicare drug benefit for seniors and efforts to reform the U.S. patent system.

The Thousand Oaks, Calif.-based company disclosed its lobbying expenditures in a form filed April 21 with the Senate's office of public records.