Billy Tauzin to be honored at Montel Williams MS Foundation Gala

So today, I heard the news today (h/t Pharma Marketing Blog) that The Montel Williams Show will be no more. According to the AP report, the show will cease production after this the 17th season while stations will be offered 52 weeks of the 'best of Montel' reruns.

Then just yesterday, I was alerted to the fact that The Montel Williams MS Foundation Gala & Pro Celebrity Poker Challenge to be held on March 13, 2008 will be honoring none other than Billy Tauzin, former Louisiana congressman and current $2 million-a-year CEO of the lobby group Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA).

As President and CEO of PhRMA, which represents the country’s leading pharmaceutical research and biotechnology companies, Billy – himself a proud cancer survivor – works to ensure that patients everywhere continue to have access to the miracles of medicines. As part of PhRMA’s mission, Billy Tauzin helps ensure that innovative biopharmaceutical research – including vital research for the treatment of MS –thrives, improving and saving lives everywhere. Under Billy’s leadership, PhRMA is also the official sponsor and driving force behind the Partnership for Prescription Assistance (PPA), which is designed to help un-insured and under-insured Americans get the prescriptions they need to survive. Montel Williams is proud to serve as the national spokesperson for this critically important ongoing initiative.

Ok, I'm like a broken record. The Partnership for Prescription Assistance (PPA) does not, I repeat, does not provide medication to patients. It is a big PR machine to help polish up Big Pharma's image.

Now, it looks like Big Pharma and Montel are going to rubbing each other's backs at this little fundraiser...all in the name of Multiple Sclerosis research. Doesn't that make you feel all warm and fuzzy, just like 'Sharing Miracles'?