June 20, 2023

(Alexandria, VA) – As the Republican primary for president heats up, Consumer Action for a Strong Economy (CASE) today released a national survey of right-leaning voters on their views of the American biotech industry. The poll provides a roadmap for free-market conservative leaders to speak more effectively about why they should support policies that strengthen the U.S. pharmaceutical industry and – in turn – the U.S. economy. The poll was conducted by Cygnal and included 1,000 respondents with a margin of error of +/- 3.2 percent.

The research conducted finds that overwhelming majorities of Republican voters agree that a strong American biotech industry is necessary to keep the United States secure against growing threats from China. To achieve that goal, Republican voters want to bolster American biotechs to stop overreliance on foreign manufacturers, crack down on intellectual property theft and counterfeit drugs, and make sure the United States remains the innovative industry leader. In addition, more broad arguments around the importance of supporting biotech innovation and jobs, especially those in manufacturing, resonate well with Republicans.

The top-performing arguments either directly or indirectly focused on China and the threat it poses to America’s national security and global leadership. At least 70% of right-leaning voters found these arguments “persuasive” and – perhaps even more importantly – at least 40% found them “very persuasive.” These findings tested strongly among across all demographic subgroups, regardless of age, gender, geographical region, and ideology.

“Despite the political rhetoric from the left and right, the American biotech sector is still central to the health, prosperity, and national security of every American,” said CASE chairman and co-founder Gerard Scimeca. “Free-market conservatives can earn back support from Republican voters on this important issue, but we need to speak to this topic in a way that addresses the current challenges of the 21^st century. By re-centering the biotech policy debate on maintaining a competitive edge and keeping America safe from China, free-market conservatives can win the hearts and minds of Republican voters.”

See the following top performing arguments below:

• • • • Reducing Dependence on Chinese manufacturing — 84.4% persuasive and 56.8% very persuasive: “According to a recent government report, an overwhelming majority of the basic components used in U.S. drugs are manufactured in China; we need to do whatever we can to make sure that U.S. pharmaceutical companies have what they need to continue to produce their products in the U.S.”

• • • • Chinese Intellectual Property Theft — 80.4% persuasive and 54.8% very persuasive: “China has stolen trillions of dollars of American intellectual property, including from our biotech companies. This puts the United States at a competitive disadvantage that we cannot ignore.”

• • • • Global Uncertainty — 79.5%persuasive and 44.1% very persuasive: “During an era of global uncertainty, it will be important for U.S. pharmaceutical companies to continue to develop safe and effective medicines so that American consumers can maintain access to best-in-class prescription medicines.”

• • • • Stopping Counterfeits — 75.1%persuasive and46.7% very persuasive: “Law enforcement officials have warned that importing more foreign drugs could significantly raise the risk of Americans receiving counterfeit medications with dangerous ingredients like fentanyl. We need a strong U.S. pharmaceutical industry to protect from these dangerous counterfeit drugs.”

• • • • Beating China in Innovation — 73.2% persuasive and 40.1% very persuasive: “China has announced a 10-year strategic plan to surpass the United States in biotech, so our industry must do whatever it can to maintain its position as an innovative industry leader.”

 

To read the full memo click here.

View the poll here.

View the crosstabs here.