Promises by the pharmaceutical industry to contain prices are a familiar — and fleeting — phenomenon, say analysts.

In the four years since Maryland implemented a statewide system of pushing hospitals to lower admissions, savings are adding up to hundreds of millions of dollars for the taxpayers, employers and consumers.

With federal officials seemingly unwilling or unable to come up with legislation to control skyrocketing drug prices, that task is increasingly moving to the states. But so is pharma muscle and money.

The pharma industrys biggest trade group boosted revenue by nearly a fourth last year and spread the millions collected among hundreds of lobbyists, politicians and patient groups.