Why it matters

Pharmaceutical giant Merck & Co. deployed $2.6 million on in-house lobbying during 2025’s first quarter, targeting legislation that could reshape drug pricing rules and reform the Inflation Reduction Act’s negotiation system.

By the numbers

  • $2.6M in Q1 2025 in-house lobbying (higher than $2.17M in Q1 2020 and $2.12M in Q1 2022)
  • Eight external lobbying firms retained, including two new additions: Nickles Group LLC and Harbinger Strategies LLC
  • Typical quarterly payments to external firms range from $20,000 to $80,000

The lobbying agenda

Merck’s lobbying disclosure reveals a broad policy focus but prioritizes several core issues:

  • Drug pricing reforms: Particularly targeting the EPIC Act (H.R. 1492), which would eliminate the disparity in IRA negotiation timelines between small-molecule drugs (9 years) and biologics (13 years);

  • Medicare and prescription costs: Including the Reducing Drug Prices for Seniors Act (H.R. 1244), which would base Medicare Part D coinsurance on actual acquisition costs;

  • Competition issues: Monitoring the Drug Competition Enhancement Act (S. 1040), which targets "product hopping" strategies that can delay generic competition, and

  • Government funding: Engaging on the Full-Year Continuing Appropriations Act (H.R. 1968) to ensure proper funding for FDA and other relevant agencies

    • The lobbying team

    • Erin Lewis Darling: A veteran lobbyist representing Merck since 2006, providing deep institutional knowledge
    • Bradley Allen Rossin: Former Legislative Assistant for the House Energy and Commerce Committee, which has jurisdiction over Medicare, Medicaid and FDA
    • Elizabeth Schoonover Schwartz: Brings experience from the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, a crucial venue for health legislation
    • Stephanie M. McBath: A recent addition to Merck’s lobbying team

    The competitive landscape

    Merck isn’t alone in its lobbying efforts. On the EPIC Act (H.R. 1492), other organizations like GSK, Pfizer, PhRMA, and Public Citizen are also heavily engaged.

    The lobbying on anti-product hopping legislation (S. 1040) positions Merck against groups like AARP that generally support measures to accelerate generic competition.

    The bottom line

    Merck’s substantial Q1 2025 lobbying investment reveals a company actively working to shape the regulatory landscape around drug pricing, intellectual property, and market access — issues that directly impact its business model and future revenue streams.