Shuler parrots lobbyist

U.S. Rep. Heath Shuler was one of three dozen lawmakers who had been persuaded by lobbyists for a drug company to read the lobbyists' talking points into the Congressional Record.

A spokesman for Shuler acknowledged the language was provided by lobbyists for a subsidiary of Swiss drug maker Roche, the Asheville Citizen-Times reports.

Shuler's statement supported language in the House health care reform bill that would give biotechnology firms 12 years of exclusive rights to new biologic drugs they develop and would promote developing generic versions of the treatments. Biologic drugs are complex medicines made using living organisms.

Doug Abrahms, spokesman for Shuler, said the Waynesville Democrat "received and relied on" the statement provided by Genentech lobbyists. He said Shuler has long supported the biotechnology industry, which has a strong presence in North Carolina."

Abrahms declined to comment on whether it's proper to use language provided by an advocate. Some critics said using statements provided by lobbyists exemplifies the too-cozy relationship between corporate interests and members of Congress.