PhRMA Names Eric Cantor CEO as Drug Lobby Faces $38 Million Pressure Campaign
Updated
Updated · POLITICO · Sep 29
PhRMA Names Eric Cantor CEO as Drug Lobby Faces $38 Million Pressure Campaign
1 articles · Updated · POLITICO · Sep 29
Summary
Eric Cantor, the former House majority leader, will take over as PhRMA president and CEO on Nov. 9, replacing Stephen Ubl as the drug industry's top Washington lobbyist.
Nearly $38 million in lobbying spending last year underscores the stakes for PhRMA as it faces Trump administration and congressional scrutiny over drug pricing and rising competition from China.
Ubl's departure leaves Cantor inheriting one of Washington's richest trade-group jobs; Ubl earned $7.6 million in 2024, according to PhRMA's latest tax filing.
Some industry allies called Cantor politically savvy, but other lobbyists questioned choosing a Republican as Democrats are seen likely to win at least one chamber this fall.
In his first public statement, Cantor said he would push patient access, use AI to speed drug discovery and champion biopharma jobs.