DOW JONES NEWSWIRES Republicans on the House Energy and Commerce Committee are seeking information from several large drug companies about their agreements with the Obama administration during the formation of the health-care reform law, Bloomberg News reported Friday, citing three people familiar with the talks. One of the people said the Republicans turned to direct negotiations with the companies after trade group Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America didn't cooperate, Bloomberg reported. The committee is seeking documents and other information from Pfizer Inc. (PFE), Merck & Co. (MRK), Amgen Inc. (AMGN), Abbott Laboratories (ABT) and AstraZeneca PLC (AZN), Bloomberg reported. Rep. Michael Burgess (R., Texas) told Bloomberg that "this has been like pulling teeth, trying to get information." A spokesman for PhRMA said "we have been cooperating with the committee on an ongoing basis since the investigation began," Bloomberg reported. Full story at http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-05-04/obama-deal-with-drugmakers-said-to-be-probed-by-house.html -Dow Jones Newswires; 212-416-2900
