Ed Silverman, a senior writer for STAT and columnist for Pharmalot, has been covering the pharmaceutical industry for nearly three decades. In recent years, he has contributed to the morning Pharmalittle newsletter and the afternoon Pharmalot newsletter.

The pharmaceutical companies backing TrumpRx, President Donald Trump’s proposed prescription drug-pricing program, significantly increased their lobbying efforts in 2025 compared to the broader industry. According to OpenSecrets, these companies spent over $130 million on federal lobbying last year, a nearly 23 percent increase from the previous year's total of $106.8 million. This spending represents more than a quarter (27%) of the record-breaking $457.3 million spent on lobbying by pharmaceutical and health products firms in 2025.

Despite this substantial investment, lobbying expenditures have not slowed significantly so far in 2026. Reports indicate that industry-wide spending topped $131 million in the first quarter of the year, marking a 5.7 percent increase from the previous year. This surge in activity was particularly pronounced during the development phase of TrumpRx.

Eli Lilly faced regulatory scrutiny for its obesity awareness campaign in India. The company suspended its We Know Now initiative following an advisory warning that the campaign could violate rules prohibiting advertising prescription medicines to consumers, even indirectly. Launched mid-2025 alongside Mounjaro's introduction in India, this campaign used various mediums such as newspaper ads, social media posts, billboards, and collaborations with Bollywood celebrities. However, Lilly halted the campaign after receiving a regulatory advisory.

Meanwhile, Bristol Myers Squibb has entered into a strategic partnership with a Chinese pharmaceutical firm to develop new cancer therapies. This collaboration underscores the growing international cooperation within the pharma industry as firms seek to expand their research and development capabilities globally.

Additionally, the FDA is considering changes to its gender-specific drug testing guidelines. The agency plans to implement an initiative for one-day inspections of pharmaceutical facilities, which could streamline regulatory processes and improve efficiency in approving new drugs.