Albany - As state lawmakers began devising a plan this year to negotiate lower drug prices for New York's Medicaid program, the Swiss-based pharmaceutical conglomerate Novartis showed an increased interest in the political health of Albany politicians. By the year's midpoint, Novartis had donated $47,125, more than double its average giving rate for the previous three years. Its gifts to legislative leaders betrayed no partisanship: The company sent $7,500 to the Assembly Democrat leadership and $5,000 to the Senate GOP leadership.
Posted by Editor at October 17, 2003 10:47 AM