{"id":2517521,"date":"2025-12-04T13:37:00","date_gmt":"2025-12-04T18:37:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/phrma-cut-them-checks-then-they-started-attacking-its-enemies\/"},"modified":"2025-12-04T13:41:06","modified_gmt":"2025-12-04T18:41:06","slug":"phrma-cut-them-checks-then-they-started-attacking-its-enemies","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/phrma-cut-them-checks-then-they-started-attacking-its-enemies\/","title":{"rendered":"PhRMA cut them checks, then they started attacking its enemies"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">20<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fphrma-cut-them-checks-then-they-started-attacking-its-enemies%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2517521&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>The article from the Washington Examiner reveals that the National Consumers League (NCL), a longstanding consumer advocacy group, began receiving ample donations from the pharmaceutical industry&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/in-depth-epa-faces-backlash-court-battles-over-its-new-emissions-rule\/\" title=\"IN-DEPTH: EPA Faces Backlash, Court Battles Over Its New Emissions Rule\">main trade association<\/a>, PhRMA, starting in 2020. This financial support, totaling around $2 million through 2024, coincided with NCL increasingly criticizing <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/thanksgiving-table-setter-a-guide-to-the-behemoth-build-back-better-act\/\" title=\"Thanksgiving Table Setter: A Guide to the Behemoth Build Back Better Act\">pharmacy benefit managers<\/a> (PBMs) and the 340B drug pricing program-two entities often opposed by the pharmaceutical industry.<\/p>\n<p>Before 2020, NCL did not receive funding from PhRMA between 2018 and 2019 and rarely targeted PBMs or 340B in its public communications. After the donations began, NCL&#8217;s messaging aligned closely with PhRMA&#8217;s stance, portraying PBMs as middlemen who enrich themselves by withholding savings and accusing the 340B program of being abused by hospitals marking up discounted drugs to the detriment of patients. NCL has as launched campaigns, issued statements, and produced various media pushing for reforms in these areas that could benefit drug manufacturers financially.<\/p>\n<p>PhRMA has a history of funding groups to promote reform of PBMs, aiming to reduce the rebates PBMs demand and thus lower manufacturer costs. While NCL asserts its editorial independence and emphasizes its mission to protect consumers, the timing and nature of its advocacy have raised questions about the influence of pharmaceutical industry funding on its priorities.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">PhRMA started cutting them checks, then they started attacking its enemies<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2394552\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>A <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >major consumer advocacy organization began consistently criticizing foes<\/a> of pharmaceutical manufacturers after the industry&rsquo;s top trade association directed large donations its way, a <em>Washington Examiner <\/em>review of public records has found.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The National Consumers League, America&rsquo;s oldest consumer advocacy organization, accepted no funding from Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America between <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/projects.propublica.org\/nonprofits\/organizations\/530241211\/201903169349305220\/full\">2018<\/a> and <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/projects.propublica.org\/nonprofits\/organizations\/530241211\/202043189349300519\/full\">2019<\/a>. PhRMA, however, started cutting large checks to NCL in <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/projects.propublica.org\/nonprofits\/organizations\/530241211\/202133169349306718\/full\">2020<\/a>, which a review of the organization&rsquo;s web pages shows coincided with an explosion of criticism aimed at pharmacy benefit managers and the 340B drug pricing program &mdash; both longtime enemies of the drug industry.<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/crime\/3906965\/watch-live-doj-press-conference-fbi-arrest-jan-6-pipe-bombs\/\">WATCH LIVE: DOJ holds press conference after FBI arrest connected to Jan. 6 pipe bombs<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/investigations\/3906798\/fbi-makes-arrest-mystery-jan-6-pipe-bombs-suspect\/\">FBI makes arrest in connection to mystery Jan. 6 pipe bombs<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/3905579\/one-in-five-immigration-judges-out-of-job\/\">One in five immigration judges out of a job as Trump officials remake court<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>PhRMA <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/projects.propublica.org\/nonprofits\/organizations\/530241211\/202133169349306718\/full\">donated<\/a> roughly <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/projects.propublica.org\/nonprofits\/organizations\/530241211\/202213169349300541\/full\">$2 million<\/a> to NCL <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/projects.propublica.org\/nonprofits\/organizations\/530241211\/202303189349316445\/full\">between<\/a> 2020 and <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/projects.propublica.org\/nonprofits\/organizations\/530241211\/202423209349305732\/full\">2024<\/a>, including $875,000 in <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/drive.google.com\/file\/d\/1ptCSOu9Itm29g64fTqlM5OF1S8zgOe7l\/view?usp=sharing\">2024 alone<\/a>. NCL web pages indexed by Google show no critical mention of <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/search?q=%22Pharmacy+Benefit+Manager%22+site:nclnet.org&amp;lr=&amp;sca_esv=33d7c6e47e76292a&amp;as_qdr=all&amp;ei=KLUwac3SI7rS5NoPwI-TuQY&amp;start=10&amp;sa=N&amp;sstk=Af77f_fNRuR9dDIuhKsZTsh9I3hYXCDkZgnpdXbo-r_qZ4Nq7TKkwERu0vndNlELQFpomqTqyQxFQkNcSFjg5gg5HxAtZWd98cbjMg&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjNhorCt6KRAxU6KVkFHcDHJGcQ8tMDegQICRAE&amp;biw=1069&amp;bih=954&amp;dpr=1\">PBMs<\/a> or the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/search?q=%22340B%22+site:nclnet.org&amp;lr=&amp;sca_esv=33d7c6e47e76292a&amp;as_qdr=all&amp;ei=LbkwacSYFfye5NoPsLLFkQs&amp;start=50&amp;sa=N&amp;sstk=Af77f_cGFV8O8JST7iJvj0Hv4ShRcSn7mgynVsM4fsIAJuNvFUcxlFMeyPEb3-wuMURmAeyN64os1ecyBJfVLMGNw_XYOE1BCW7YKeRBUXtYCEsD3roGjdsSwCRj5RqLF6MxMKYCqFjEeiMTR5nCED-guRSHbnfg3p0uO5ujqT8LDM-580H16jYIR0Nc7pspesBbJQcbsu4vosYnMIOFjY1cASj-zdH5&amp;ved=2ahUKEwiE49Csu6KRAxV8D1kFHTBZMbI4KBDw0wN6BAgKEA8&amp;biw=1069&amp;bih=954&amp;dpr=1\">340B program<\/a> prior to 2020, with critical mentions beginning to appear after that point and becoming increasingly common from 2024 onward.<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20250525014514\/https:\/\/nclnet.org\/our-work\/health\/\">Archived web pages<\/a>, for instance, show that NCL updated the &ldquo;health&rdquo; section on its website to feature its campaigns against the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/nclnet.org\/340b-program\/\">340B program<\/a> and <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/nclnet.org\/pbms\/\">PBMs<\/a> prominently sometime around May of this year. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20241203083623\/https:\/\/nclnet.org\/our-work\/health\/\">Prior<\/a>, the page had only featured the NCL&rsquo;s &ldquo;<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/scriptyourfuture.org\/\">Script Your Future<\/a>&rdquo; campaign, which sought to educate consumers on the importance of adhering to medication regimens as prescribed by <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/section\/policy\/healthcare\/\">healthcare<\/a> professionals.<\/p>\n<p>NCL&rsquo;s campaigns against the 340B program and PBMs employ similar rhetoric to that used by PhRMA itself.<\/p>\n<p>PhRMA, for instance, <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.phrma.org\/policy-issues\/pbms-middlemen\">characterizes<\/a> PBMs as &ldquo;middlemen&rdquo; who &ldquo;refuse to share savings with patients.&rdquo;&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>NCL, meanwhile, adopts a similar approach by accusing PBMs, which are supposed to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/biden-pushes-congress-to-lower-cost-of-prescription-drugs\/\" title=\"Biden Pushes Congress To Lower Cost Of Prescription Drugs\">negotiate lower drug prices<\/a> by representing large pools of consumers and leveraging their collective purchasing power, of being &ldquo;middlemen&rdquo; who enrich themselves with the savings they negotiate, which come in the form of rebates paid by manufacturers, while failing to pass on savings to consumers.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>On 340B, an initiative run by the Health Resources and Services Administration that requires pharmaceutical manufacturers to provide discounted outpatient medications to certain healthcare providers in impoverished or rural areas, PhRMA <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.phrma.org\/policy-issues\/340b?utm_campaign=2025-q2-340b-2025340BState340BEvergreenCOMISearchAd1WC&amp;utm_medium=pai_srh_cpc&amp;utm_source=ggl&amp;utm_content=key-pat-soc_txt-2025340BState340BEvergreenCOMISearchAd1WC&amp;utm_term=phrma%20340b&amp;utm_campaign=&amp;utm_source=adwords&amp;utm_medium=ppc&amp;hsa_acc=8523309176&amp;hsa_cam=23079217147&amp;hsa_grp=181527893930&amp;hsa_ad=776832394068&amp;hsa_src=g&amp;hsa_tgt=kwd-2265189741522&amp;hsa_kw=phrma%20340b&amp;hsa_mt=b&amp;hsa_net=adwords&amp;hsa_ver=3&amp;gad_source=1&amp;gad_campaignid=23079217147&amp;gbraid=0AAAAADxy_iwnPZ3vuy_uyFxypeqA6r89Y&amp;gclid=CjwKCAiA3L_JBhAlEiwAlcWO53bj3XRQyGL1_I4NvUUXLqN8eRO2eEq_p2sBW79ilXzsgM59zP1SvhoC7IIQAvD_BwE\">argues<\/a> that hospitals use it to &ldquo;purchase medicines at prices that can be as low as a penny&rdquo; only to turn around and &ldquo;mark up medicines by thousands of dollars&rdquo; thus failing to pass on savings to patients.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Again, NCL takes a similar line as PhRMA, arguing that the program, though well-intentioned, falls victim to abuse from hospital systems that sell the discounted drugs at exorbitant prices, thus undercutting its purpose.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">In this July 10, 2018, file photo, bottles of medicine ride on a belt at the Express Scripts mail-in pharmacy warehouse in Florence, New Jersey. On Monday, Oct. 15, the industry&rsquo;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/rfk-jrs-call-to-ban-drug-advertisements-revives-price-transparency-talks-washington-examiner\/\" title=\"RFK Jr&#039;s call to ban drug advertisements revives price transparency talks - ...\">largest trade group announced<\/a> that dozens of drugmakers will start disclosing the prices for U.S. prescription drugs advertised on TV. The prices won&rsquo;t actually be shown in the TV commercials, but the advertisement will include a website where the list price will be posted. (AP Photo\/Julio Cortez, File)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>&ldquo;We engage with different groups who have a wide array of different policy opinions and priorities,&rdquo; PhRMA Senior Vice President of Public Affairs Alex Schriver told the <em>Washington Examiner<\/em>. &ldquo;We may not agree on every issue, but we believe engagement and dialogue [are] important to promoting a healthcare policy environment that supports innovation, a highly-skilled workforce, and access to life-saving medicines.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/nclnet.org\/congress-must-protect-consumers-from-pbm-abuse\/\">Other<\/a> materials <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/nclnet.org\/national-consumers-league-joins-25-advocacy-organizations-in-opposing-expansion-of-340b-drug-pricing-program-in-new-york\/\">published by NCL<\/a> since 2020 criticizing PBMs and the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/nclnet.org\/new-ncl-analysis-of-medical-debt-policies-highlights-need-for-reform\/\">340B program<\/a> include a <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/nclnet.org\/pbms-newsroom\/\">flood<\/a> of blog posts, <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/nclnet.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/NCL-Letter-to-Bipartisan-Leaders-in-Support-of-PBM-Reform-2-21-24.pdf\">statements seeking<\/a> to <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/nclnet.org\/national-consumers-league-statement-on-senate-help-committee-hearing\/\">push Congress<\/a> toward <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/nclnet.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/October-2025-NCL-Comments-HELP-Committee-Hearing-FINAL.pdf\">reform<\/a>, <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/nclnet.org\/ncl-signs-on-to-pbm-accountability-project-letter-advocating-for-transparency-and-cost-savings-in-prescription-drug-pricing\/\">joint letters<\/a> with <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/nclnet.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/NY-340B-Joint-Letter-1.pdf\">other organizations<\/a> seeking <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/nclnet.org\/fifteen-organizations-call-on-senate-commerce-committee-to-support-ticket-act\/\">policy changes<\/a>, a <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/nclnet.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/FINAL-NCL-Consumer-Glossary.pdf\">multitude<\/a> of <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/nclnet.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/PBMs-by-the-numbers-infographic_new.pdf\">infographics<\/a>, <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/show\/3rIoMKC8ed3F3tkdaGj6z1?si=dca2dfc972e246ab&amp;nd=1&amp;dlsi=512dccf7bf6143ed\">numerous podcasts<\/a> on the subjects, <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/nclnet.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/V2_NCL_Medical-Debt-Issue-Brief_Digital.pdf\">policy briefs<\/a>, and solicitations to citizens seeking <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/nclnet.org\/340b-program-stories\/\">negative anecdotes<\/a> about the 340B program, among other pieces of media. NCL, given its long history and accumulated goodwill with citizens and policymakers alike, is a valuable ally for the pharmaceutical industry.<\/p>\n<p>Altering either the 340B program or the regulations surrounding PBMs could boost profits for drug manufacturers. The former forces them to sell their drugs at a discount, thus harming profitability. Tweaking PBM regulations by forcing greater transparency, meanwhile, could force PBMs to demand lower rebate payments from manufacturers, lowering expenses considerably for the pharmaceutical companies represented by PhRMA.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>PhRMA, in fact, has a long history of paying top dollar in an attempt to spur PBM reform.<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/investigations\/3408663\/big-pharma-lobbying-web-interests-groups\/\">Previous reporting<\/a> from the <em>Washington Examiner<\/em> and other outlets has found that many of the organizations bankrolled by PhRMA push messaging critical of PBMs. The <em>Wall Street Journal <\/em>reported in April that the pharmaceutical industry had spent millions of dollars <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/health\/pharma\/drugmakers-have-spent-millions-targeting-middlemenand-its-paying-off-08bdef04?gaa_at=eafs&amp;gaa_n=AWEtsqdfCKUU3Z2QTRjTrkNBFt4VkCmNTk4UYXvebrxuKNG4IPo7qjdxFnfeZ-HEwb8%3D&amp;gaa_ts=691c85c1&amp;gaa_sig=rQAzWmHT4P9Uv-LnGy5LAHATSwDJeNkLgaf1KXDXSlT4A29ISCscQoHd03n1RBjz1z3-6uegKYHt8upDiSkfig%3D%3D\">funding political groups and advertisements<\/a> that attacked PBMs, on top of tens of millions of dollars more in lobbying expenditures, in 2024.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;The National Consumers League is guided by one principle: protecting consumers,&rdquo; a spokeswoman for the organization told the <em>Washington Examiner<\/em>. &ldquo;Our work on the 340B program is driven by the reality that PBMs and large hospital systems and pharmacies they work with are walking away with billions of dollars that are supposed to help patients access affordable medicines &hellip; Like many nonprofits, we partner with a broad range of stakeholders &mdash; including industry, consumer organizations, nonprofits, healthcare professionals, and patient advocacy groups &mdash; when their support advances meaningful consumer education and protections.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>The spokeswoman went on to argue that both PBMs and the 340B program have failed to make healthcare cheaper due to a lack of transparency, monopoly dynamics, and greed from hospitals, which she says motivates NCL to cover the two issues.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/investigations\/3317274\/drug-research-nonprofit-pharmaceutical-industry-ties\/\"><strong>NEWS OUTLETS CIRCULATED DRUG RESEARCH FROM NONPROFIT GROUP WITHOUT DISCLOSING ITS PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRY TIES<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;NCL receives support from a diverse set of stakeholders, and our policy positions are our own,&rdquo; the spokeswoman continued. &ldquo;We retain complete editorial control over all content, and our agreements explicitly safeguard that independence.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Prior to 2018, PhRMA made smaller donations to NCL, including $125,000 in 2017 and $20,000 in 2016. Only after the lull of donations between 2018 and 2019 and their subsequent return in 2020, however, did NCL come out in force against PBMs and the 340B program. NCL did not deny in their statement to the <em>Washington Examiner<\/em> that their scrutiny of PBMs and the 340B program intensified from 2020 onwards. They did, however, confirm that contributions from PhRMA support its &ldquo;healthcare work.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>PhRMA funded group then ramped up attacks on its foes<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":894,"featured_media":2517522,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/ap21270708984927-e1764869227197.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[68225,4198,48471,68224,37194],"class_list":["post-2517521","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-corporate-tactics","tag-lobbying","tag-pharmaceutical-industry","tag-phrma","tag-political-influence"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/ap21270708984927-e1764869227197.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2517521","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/894"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2517521"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2517521\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2517525,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2517521\/revisions\/2517525"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2517522"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2517521"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2517521"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2517521"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}