SACRAMENTO — The nation's drug makers have given hundreds of thousands of dollars to political leaders and civil rights groups that have endorsed the industry's initiative on the Nov. 8 ballot.
The measure, Proposition 78, would avert state caps on the price of prescription drugs. Those embracing it while taking the industry's money include the conservative Traditional Values Coalition, an emergency-room physician in Los Angeles, the California arm of the NAACP and the Mexican American Political Assn.
The drug industry's campaign also has given $100,000 to Voter Education and Registration Action, a campaign committee that has distributed mailers supporting the drug industry's position.
State Assemblyman Mervyn Dymally (D-Compton) helped create Voter Education, and his campaign office shares an address and phone number with it. He is one of 12 statewide campaign co-chairs.
Mary Boyle, spokeswoman for Common Cause in Washington, D.C., said campaigns that pay for endorsements give voters the false impression that they have more support than they do.
"It is very deceptive," Boyle said, calling the practice akin to "buying access and influence."
It is not clear from disclosure records how the money has been used by recipients. But the records show that some of it covered mailings and consultants' profits.
The drug manufacturers have spent about $76 million so far in favor of Proposition 78 and against Proposition 79, a competing measure pushed by organized labor and some consumer groups.
The pharmaceutical industry is airing television ads emphasizing the large number of organizations and public figures embracing its position.
"The list of groups saying Yes to 78 grows bigger every day," says an ad airing across California. The spot does not disclose that many endorsers have received payments.
Jose Hermacillo, spokesman for the drug industry's campaign, said that although the Yes on 78-No on 79 effort has reimbursed supporters for expenses, it is not purchasing endorsements.
"The people who have signed on have done so based on the policy differences between the two measures," Hermacillo said.
Proposition 78 would establish a program in which drug companies could voluntarily offer discounted medicines to about 6 million low-income Californians.
Proposition 79, which promises to reach as many as 10 million, would penalize companies that don't offer discounts and allow lawsuits against firms deemed to be charging too much.
