PhRMA gives an inch

Sending a clear signal that political pressure is increasing for the government to provide prescription drugs to senior citizens, the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) last week dropped its opposition to a Medicare prescription drug benefit. But the PhRMA board said it will support a drug benefit only in the context of a privatized Medicare.

PhRMA reiterated its opposition to any attempt to impose "direct or indirect" price controls on drugs, and argued that the government, which could become the nation's largest purchaser of pharmaceuticals under a drug benefit, should not demand deep discounts...