It was not to be as big pharma bought off Obama and Democratic senators to keep it from happening.

An amendment to open up competition in drug pricing was narrowly defeated in the Senate Vote-a-Rama last night, but that defeat was not binding by any means.

More importantly, Trump's Drug-Price Stance Puts Pharma on Notice.

President-elect Donald Trump's fiery stance on drug prices is putting pressure on pharmaceutical companies that may be designed to bring their support for his planned overhaul of the nation's health-care system.

Hours after Trump upended pharmaceutical stocks Wednesday with a pledge to force drugmakers to bid for government business, the U.S. Senate narrowly rejected a proposal to allow importation of cheaper prescription drugs from Canada. While votes on most amendments to the budget resolution went along party lines Wednesday night and Thursday morning, 12 Republicans supported the drug-import measure, with 13 Democrats opposed.