WASHINGTON (AP) — Biotech drugmaker Amgen Inc. spent $2.82 million lobbying the federal government during the third quarter, focusing its efforts on health care and prescription drug issues.

The Thousand Oaks, Calif.-based company's lobbying budget increased 23 percent from the second quarter, when the company spent $2.3 million. Lobbying spending was down 4 percent from $2.94 million it spent in third-quarter of 2010.

The company also lobbied on the new regulatory system for biosimilars, or copies of lucrative biotechnology drugs. The FDA previously only regulated the approval of generic drugs made from chemical compounds because it did not have a system in place for similar versions of biotech drugs, or biosimilars, which are developed using more complicated living cells. Under the health reform law of 2010, the FDA is instructed to give new biotechnology drugs 12 years of competitive protection from biosimilars. The framework was considered a major victory for Amgen and other biotech companies looking to preserve profits on their drugs. The FDA is still drafting regulations on how it will accept and review biosimilar drugs.

Amgen also lobbied on Medicare reimbursement for dialysis treatment and products, which are used by patients with failing kidneys.

The cost of dialysis services is a major concern for state and federal government officials because the vast majority of U.S. kidney disease patients receive care through the Medicare and Medicaid health systems. Medicare is the federally funded health program for seniors and the disabled. Medicaid is a jointly funded federal-state plan for low-income Americans.

In addition, Amgen lobbied on legislation related to tax rates, patents and trademarks.

Amgen makes blockbuster anemia drugs including Aranesp and Epogen. Other products include Neulasta and Neupogen, which help prevent infections in chemotherapy patients.

Along with Congress, Amgen lobbied the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, according to a form filed with the House clerk's office Oct. 20.

Instant Insights /

Amgen spent $2.82 million on lobbying in 3Q

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