North Carolina Senate Race Could Feature Bid By Rep. Burr

One of the brand name pharmaceutical industry's strongest allies in the House, Rep. Burr (R-N.C.), is considering running for the North Carolina Senate seat to be vacated by the retirement of Sen. Helms' (R-N.C.) in 2002.

Burr, who has not announced his intentions in the upcoming election, is considered to be a GOP contender for the seat, along with former Red Cross President Elizabeth Dole and former Sen. Lauch Faircloth.

Burr has been one of the key point people for the pharma industry in the House on FDA procedures. He was the primary sponsor for the pharmaceutical provisions of the FDA Modernization Act in 1997 and is pushing for a speedy reauthorization of the Prescription Drug User Fee Act before it expires in 2002.

On the Medicare front, Burr has been involved in drafting drug benefit legislation and was a co-sponsor of Rep. Thomas' (R-Calif.) bill that passed the House in 2000. He has also voiced opposition to allowing reimportation of prescription drugs.

Burr has also been responsive to drug manufacturers' concerns that the lack of a commissioner at FDA may be contributing to financial hard times in the industry.

In a recent letter from the House Energy & Commerce Committee leadership (Burr is vice chairman) asking President Bush to appoint a commissioner quickly, Burr et al. noted that "the absence of a commissioner for the past six months has created an uncertain situation within the agency and the industries it regulates" (¹ (Also see "Celebrex Growth Is "Typical" Of NSAIDs After Three Years, Pharmacia Says" - Pink Sheet, 30 Jul, 2001.)).

During the 2000 Congressional campaign, four drug manufacturers were among Burr's top donors: North Carolina-based Glaxo Wellcome (now GlaxoSmithKline), Lilly, Pfizer and Pharmacia, according to the Center for Responsive Politics. Pharmaceutical & health products was the industry with the second highest amount of donations ($56,205) to Burr's campaign, after health professionals.