Novartis Offers Republicans A Swanky Boat Ride
3 CommentsBy Ed Silverman // September 5th, 2008 // 7:16 am
Novartis sponsored one of the swankiest events this week for the North Carolina delegation at the Republican National Convention. Delegates rode buses to Lake Minnetonka outside Minneapolis to dine at a country club overlooking the blue waters. Some signed up for boat tours, according to The News & Observer.
They were greeted with mimosas, bloody marys, wine and a buffet brunch that included eggs Benedict, waffles, pastries and fruit, the paper continues, adding that a ‘groaning’ dessert table included sweets emblazoned with cartoon elephants.
Novartis officials talked up the company’s new $600 million vaccine plant being built in Holly Springs, North Carolina, which is scheduled to start production in 2010. “We thank you for hosting this lunch,” Richard Burr, a Republcian Senator from the state. “But more importantly, we thank you for investing in North Carolina’s future in bricks and mortar and jobs created.”
Dan A.
They also invest in Duke as well. That’s one state they bought and own.
Justice in Michigan
Someone will remember more particulars about Burr’s work for pharma. I believe he presided over key committee when Gingrich was working to dissolve FDA and was part of the “smoke out” Kessler project (NC also land of big tobacco).
Hypocrisy rules
I have seen Novartis’ sponsorships for hordes of doctors at many medical conventions. Once in NewOrleans (before Katrina) I witnesses “sponsorship” of over 400 specialists flown in from every corner of this Planet, business class all expenses paid. They were entertained every night, one night being more exciting and expensive than the previous one. Then there was Vienna, Paris, Tokyo, Stockholm,to mentione few I had attended. So what is few hundred thousands thrown the Republicans’ way? Nothing, just a small change that in the end may pay big time.
So what is the buttering up good for? Absolutly everything.