sharon brown says the biologic rescues her from arthritis. >> $1,095.87 for four injecti s injections. >> reporter: she takes the weekly drug every other week. >> i cannot afford the medication. >> reporter: for chemical drugs like these, there is a law that allows generics, which are cheaper. it doesn't apply to biologics. so democrats in their health care legislation which today say is aimed at lowering costs decided to make a pass for generic biologics, which would bring the cost of the drugs down. they want brand biologics exclusive rights for seven years before cheaper je anywherics could enter the lobby. they argued for 12 years and won. they said the development takes 12 years and a billion dollars. >> we want people to invest for cancer and diabetes and aids. we want some chance to get a return on their investment. >> keeping them honest, brand named boilogics had major reinforcements to make their case. last year they spent more than $700,000 a day. they gave $30 million in campaign contributions, a record half of that to democrats. >> the brand industry have made good fronts

sharon brown say it is biologic enbrel rescues her from debilitating rheumatoid a arthritis. >> that's four injections. >> reporter: her insurance has a cap and takes the weekly drug every other week. >> i just cannot simply afford the medication. >> reporter: for chemical drugs like these, there is a law that allows generics which are cheapers and doesn't apply to biologics so democrats in the health care legislation which they say is aimed at lowering costs decided to make a path for generic biologics which would bring the cost of the drugs down. to do that, the president wanted to give brand biologics exclusive rights for seven years before cheaper generics could enter the market but the pharmaceutical industry lobbied for more, 12 years and prevailed. their argument? development takes an average of 12 years and a billion plus dollars. >> if we want people to invest in new cures for cancer and diabetes and aids and all of that, then you have to make sure that they're going have some chance to get their return on their investment. >> reporter: and keeping them honest, brand name biol

. >> coming up next on c-span is a speech by prime minister gordon brown on the global economy. then it is "q&a" with sharon easton -- with michelis than -- with michelle easton. >> the health care debate moves to the house budget committee on monday as committee members marked up health care legislation we will have live coverage beginning at 3:00 p.m. eastern. the budget meeting as part of an effort to put the matter to a vote by march 18. they said they want the democrats approve the bill under expedited reconciliation procedures. and the rules committee will meet on wednesday to work at the structure for the debate. house speaker nancy pelosi hopes to start the debate on thursday with those possible later in the week. stay tuned to c-span for the latest on the health care debate. visit our health care of. you can read the legislation. you can join in the conversation yourself on platter. you can also find cost -- on twitter. you can also five cost estimates, committee hearings, markets, and other events. c-span's health care have thhub. >> added thomson reuters event in london, prime minister gordon bro