(CNN) Lobbying activity in Washington surged to $3.4 billion last year -- its highest level since 2010 -- as companies, trade groups and other interests raced to shape policies on international trade, drug prices and other issues during President Donald Trump's second year in office, a new tally shows.

The National Association of Realtors, a perennial lobbying force in Washington, was the second-highest spender on federal lobbying last year, driving nearly $73 million into those efforts, the center found.

The industry spending the most by far: The pharmaceutical and health products sector. Its trade group, Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, and individual drug companies together spent a staggering $280 million on federal lobbying in 2018, far surpassing other sectors. The big outlays come as the White House and Congress push plans that would limit drug companies' price increases

The record for Washington lobbying activity -- $3.51 billion -- was set in 2010, the year Congress passed the Affordable Care Act, overhauling the nation's health insurance system.

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