Novartis lobbies on biotech genetics and influenza vaccines

Novartis reportedly spent $1.3bn (684 million pounds) during the second quarter in lobbying costs, it has been claimed.

According to a recent disclosure form, the company spent this sum lobbying the US government on healthcare and drug related issues

Included in these efforts was input on bills designed to guarantee the government has a sufficient stockpile of influenza vaccine in case of an epidemic, CNBC reports.

Other issues on which the company lobbied were bills relating the potential manufacturing of generic copies of biotechnology drugs, for which the US Food and Drug Administration is not presently permitted to grant marketing authorisation.

There remains conflict over the issue of how long marketing exclusivity should last for these drugs, with the biotech industry calling for a 12 year period and generics manufacturers calling for less than five years.

Novartis also opposed a patent reform bill currently moving through congress which aims to reduce frivolous patent lawsuits.

It also lobbied on free-trade agreements with a number of countries, including Columbia, Korea and Peru.

Earlier this month, Novartis began the shipment of its Fluvirin influenza virus vaccine for the upcoming influenza season, with the product covering three new strains.