Praise the Lord and Pass the Vioxx

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The industry lobby group Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) is launching "an aggressive new PR plan," highlighting its new CEO, former Congressman and cancer survivor Billy Tauzin. According to PhRMA senior vice-president of communications Ken Johnson, the new plan includes reorganizing media relations "almost like a beat system," with point people for "state, federal, or international outreach." PhRMA has also launched a radio series called Healthcare Now, "which Johnson likens to an ANR (audio news release) that can be played in small markets without health reporters." PhRMA is also "building an onsite studio" to allow Tauzin to do more television interviews and speaking events. Johnson said part of PhRMA's PR strategy is to make Tauzin "an evangelist for the pharmaceutical industry."