VianovoValeant, the US pharma facing scrutiny over its drug prices, has brought in Washington's Vianovo for PR support.

Reuters reported the company also hired the DC law firm Covington & Burling as it faces Congressional probes of its drug pricing.

The politically connected Vianovo is led by partners including former President George W. Bush aide Tucker Eskew, Public Strategies alum Blaine Bull and Martha Stewart Living corporate comms. and IR vet Katherine Nash Goehring.

Bridgewater, N.J.-based Valeant's shares have taken a beating since both houses of Congress took an interest in its pricing policies this fall. Rising drug prices have also become a political campaign issue in the presidential election, ratcheting up pressue on Valeant and other pharmaceutical companies.

Valeant has worked with crisis and financial specialist Sard Verbinnen & Co. for M&A PR in the past, including its $10.1B February acquisition of Salix Pharmaceuticals and failed hostile bid for Allergan in 2014.