Endo Pharmaceuticals spent $410,000 lobbying in 1Q

Endo Pharmaceuticals spent $410,000 lobbying in the first quarter on drug and patent issues, according to a recent government disclosure.

The Chadds Ford, Penn.-based company opposed a patent reform bill that passed the House last year. High-tech companies supported the legislation, saying it would cut down on frivolous infringement lawsuits.

But the pharmaceutical industry has argued it will weaken patent protections on drugs by reducing infringement penalties. The legislation has stalled in the Senate.

The company also lobbied on a bill that would require drug manufacturers to disclose gifts given to physicians by their salespeople, according to the form filed April 21 with the House clerk's office. The drug industry's chief trade group agreed to endorse the measure after lawmakers agreed to raise the payment limit requiring disclosure of gifts to $500 from $25.