Hillary Clinton has been outspoken about her disdain over the drug business. The Democratic frontrunner has criticized the painkiller trade recently, but a new report has pointed out that an OxyContin giant, Purdue Pharma, has been funding the Clinton campaign for years.
In its early years in business, Purdue Pharma was known as a small drug company that manufactures antiseptic products and Senokot laxatives. However, the company raked in whopping revenues when the U.S. government approved its OxyContin in 1995. Since then, the firm reportedly earns $1.6 billion every year with just OxyContin alone.
Money From Purdue Pharma Pouring In
Dr. Mortimer Sackler -- who bought Purdue Pharma in 1952 alongside his two brothers, Arthur and Raymond -- was a Clinton Foundation donor when he was still alive, the Washington Free Beacon wrote. Other members of the Sackler family also funded the Clinton campaign when she filed candidacy in the U.S. Senate in 2000 and in her first presidential bid in 2008 - which she lost.
Purdue Pharma is also a political donor in the latest Clinton campaign. Robin Abrams, the company's VP and associate general counsel, contributed $500 in February. Dora Hughes, a lobbyist representing Purdue Pharma, also helped fund the Clinton campaign with $1,500.
Clinton Supports Tax Against Opioid Makers
OxyContin is an opioid painkiller that was introduced by Purdue Pharma two decades ago. It is said to prevent pain for 12 hours compared to other oxycodone products that are cheaper and short-lived. However, a new report from the Los Angeles Times claimed that OxyContin's effects last below the 12-hour relief the company asserts.
This month, Clinton expressed her support for West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin. The senator plans to require manufacturers or importers to shoulder 1 cent per milligram of opioid ingredients in prescription pain pills, CNN reported.
Last year, Clinton referred to health insurance companies and drug firms as her enemies, the Washington Free Beacon noted. However, aside from drug companies, health insurance firms are also lobbyists of the Clinton campaign.
Cigna, Amgen, EMD Serono, Cardinal Health and Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, or PhRMA, are some of the health insurers that contributed to Clinton's presidential bid. Many other health care and health insurance companies like Pfizer, Humana and Johnson & Johnson also support the Clinton Foundation.
Clinton Attacks Drug Companies
Clinton recently launched a campaign ad that takes down Valeant Pharmaceuticals, a company that manufactures drugs for dermatology, neurology and infectious diseases. The former Secretary of State criticized the firm's drug price hike, claiming Valeant Pharmaceuticals increased its products' for almost 82 times over decades, according to a report from Fortune.
