In 1970, Varis founded Agvar Chemicals, a private supplier of bulk pharmaceutical ingredients. She was also a director of the generic giant Copley Pharmaceuticals until she resigned in 1998. Copley, which suffered from a declining stock value, was later sold to Teva Pharmaceuticals, which includes Harold Snyder (No. 60, $449,500) on its board of directors.

The only Republican who received money from Varis was Senator John McCain, (R-Ariz.), who plans to reintroduce a bill this year that could help accomplish much of the legislative agenda being promoted by the pharmaceutical association. The bill would speed approval of generic drugs and eliminate loopholes that extend patents. Nonetheless, friends of Varis say giving goes beyond her business interests. "She is one of the most outspoken feminist liberals you will ever meet," says William Nixon, president of the GPhA." Her giving has very little to do with the industry."

Varis recently donated $2 million to Tufts University to establish the Chair in Science and Society. She says that politicians themselves sometimes prompt her to give. "He has a way of making you want to help," she once told reporters, referring to Senator Robert Torricelli (D-N.J.). "He always gives you a good fundamental reason why you should contribute."