Amylin spent $198,000 lobbying in the first quarter

Amylin Pharmaceuticals Inc. spent $198,000 lobbying the federal government on prescription drug issues in the first quarter of 2008.

The San Diego, Calif.-based company lobbied on legislation affecting the Medicare prescription drug benefit for seniors and a bill that would require drug companies to disclose gifts given to doctors to help promote pharmaceuticals.

Amylin also lobbied Congress on a bill aimed at updating the U.S. patent system. High-tech companies support the bill that passed the House last year, saying it would cut down on frivolous patent-infringement lawsuits. But the pharmaceutical industry has argued it will weaken patent protections on drugs by reducing infringement penalties. The bill has stalled in the Senate.

The company disclosed its lobbying expenses in a form filed online on April 16 by the Senate's public records office.

Under a federal law enacted in 1995, lobbyists are required to disclose activities that could influence members of the executive and legislative branches. Lobbyists are required to disclose how much they spent in the first six months of the year.