Pharma Companies Participating in TrumpRx Spent $130M on Lobbying in 2025
Seventeen companies anchoring the White House's new prescription drug-pricing program spent more than $130 million on federal lobbying in 2025, accounting for over a quarter of industry record spending. The surge coincided with development of TrumpRx, launched in February 2026. Separately, Eli Lilly halted its obesity awareness campaign in India after a regulatory advisory.
abcnews.go.comThe 17 pharmaceutical companies anchoring TrumpRx, the White House’s new prescription drug-pricing program launched in February 2026, spent more than $130 million on federal lobbying in 2025. That outlay represented a nearly 23 percent surge that outpaced the broader industry as the plan was being shaped behind the scenes, according to Stat reported.
3 million spent on lobbying across the pharmaceutical and health products industry that year.
3 million. The most consequential lobbying push by the 17 companies came in 2025, ahead of TrumpRx’s February launch. 7 percent increase compared with Q1 2025.
In a separate development, Eli Lilly paused its obesity awareness campaign in India after the nation’s drugs regulator warned the company that the effort could violate rules against advertising prescription medicines to consumers even indirectly. The Drugs Controller General of India issued an advisory in March 2026 regarding the campaign.
” Eli Lilly launched its “We Know Now” campaign in mid-2025, shortly after introducing its Mounjaro diabetes and obesity treatment in India.
The campaign focused on reframing obesity as a chronic disease rather than a personal failing. Its materials featured newspaper ads, social media posts, billboards, collaborations with Bollywood celebrities, and posters in a few residential communities. Eli Lilly’s corporate logo appeared on the “We Know Now” campaign messages, but Mounjaro was not mentioned.
The company introduced Mounjaro in India shortly before the mid-2025 launch of the awareness effort. Stat reported that the regulator’s warning centered on indirect promotion of prescription medicines to consumers. The lobbying figures come from OpenSecrets, the nonprofit that tracks campaign financing and lobbying.
Industry spending continued its upward trajectory into 2026 even after the TrumpRx program took effect. The 17 companies’ 2025 efforts represented both the largest share and the fastest growth rate within the sector that year.
Key Facts
Story Timeline
6 events- 2025 (full year)
17 companies spent over $130 million on lobbying; industry total hit record $457.3 million
2 sourcesOpenSecrets · Stat - Mid-2025
Eli Lilly introduced Mounjaro in India and launched “We Know Now” obesity awareness campaign
1 sourceStat - February 2026
White House launched TrumpRx prescription drug-pricing program
1 sourceStat - March 2026
Drugs Controller General of India issued advisory on Eli Lilly campaign
1 sourceDrugs Controller General of India - April 10, 2026
Eli Lilly sent 16-page letter to regulator stating it halted campaign out of regulatory caution
1 sourceEli Lilly - Q1 2026
Industry-wide lobbying exceeded $131 million, up 5.7% from Q1 2025
1 sourceStat
Potential Impact
- 01
Eli Lilly ceased multi-channel obesity awareness effort including Bollywood collaborations and billboards
- 02
Continued rise in pharmaceutical lobbying spending into Q1 2026 despite new pricing program
- 03
Regulatory precedent in India on indirect advertising of prescription drugs
Transparency Panel
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