Some states have started similar discount systems, but this program would be the first in New York State, officials from several pharmaceutical associations said.

The council has 247 member organizations, including pharmaceutical associations, drug manufacturers, consumer groups and other health-related organizations.

Since then, Ms. Gruden's employers have included a pharmaceutical association, a temporary agency, the Hartford, and then Cigna.

"The ones they haven't hired are working for the National Association of Retail Druggists and pharmaceutical associations."

As for the pharmaceutical association, its critics assert that it is so panic-stricken over the prospect of the government cutting into its profits that industry lobbying will only intensify.

The 59 reports filed by lobbyists for the pharmaceutical association do not count dozens of reports filed by individual companies.

His warnings drew criticism from several medical and pharmaceutical associations.

Christopher Molineaux, vice president in Washington for the pharmaceutical association, known as Pharma, said: "We have not done this before.

"The decision on whether to split tablets should be between the patient, physician and pharmacist," said Susan Winckler, vice president for policy at the pharmaceutical association in Washington.

The pharmaceutical association gets nearly all its revenue from dues paid by member companies, according to the documents, which were obtained from people in the industry.