In an email to POGO, an aide to Murray sent a quote from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and said the group approved this quote specifically for use in your story. In the quote, Mark Del Monte, chief executive officer of the group, commended Alexander, Murray, and other lawmakers for their commitment to getting this longstanding priority across the finish line.

The CARES Act at last gives FDA the authority to safeguard public health; children will be much better off as a result, Del Monte added.

The American Academy of Pediatrics lists corporate relationships with companies such as Johnson & Johnson and GlaxoSmithKline. The organization lists in its President's Circle$50,000 and abovePampers, which is part of Procter & Gamble, maker of Pepto-Bismol and other drugstore products.

On its website, on a page titled Corporate and Organizational Partners, the American Academy of Pediatrics thanks those and other companies for their support of the Friends of Children Fund.

Through an annual membership contribution to the Fund, these companies are invited to a Corporate Summit held each summer at the AAP National Headquarters in Itasca, IL, the page says.

In response to an email from POGO, a spokesperson for the American Academy of Pediatrics, Jamie Poslosky, confirmed the quote that the Murray aide had provided. The spokesperson did not answer follow-up questions about the organizations corporate relationships.

The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology is also a medical professionals group. In an unsigned email to POGO, the academy said its advocacy process is wholly independent, and not subject to influence by the corporate sponsors of our educational programs.

The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology lists corporate funders such as Sanofi and GlaxoSmithKline.

Sanofis over-the-counter products include Rolaids, Selsun Blue, Aspercreme, and Dulcolax.

GlaxoSmithKline markets a variety of over-the-counter products, including Tums and Excedrin, and calls itself the number one over-the-counter respiratory medicine company.

Originally posted here:
Following the (Drug) Money - Project On Government Oversight