The second edition of the Pharmopoly campaign's Critical Commentary on Pharma & Politics is now available to download.

This month's commentary examines testimony given last month to the Senate HELP committee investigating drug importation.

It deals with the myths put out by Big Pharma’s lobbyists in Washington for domestic consumption – particularly about Europe’s “free ride”. Dr Peter Rost's testimony regarding his experience on the inside of Pfizer Inc. is contrasted with Stephen Pollard's surprising testimony in favour of Big Pharma's interests. Whereas Dr Rost says the industry is opposed to free trade because it will reduce profits, Pollard, author of many industry friendly and industry sponsored reports, says lower cost drugs will harm patients by reducing Pharma profitability. This despite Pharma being the most profitable industry sector in the world, enjoying margins four times higher than the Fortune 500 average.