BERKELEY, Calif. - December 16 - On Tuesday, December 15, the U.S. Senate voted against the importation of prescription drugs, 51-48. Offered by Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-ND) as an amendment to the health care reform bill, the provision would pave the way for market access to cheaper prescription drugs, by relaxing restrictions on imports from Canada and other highly-developed countries.

In a bipartisan effort rarely seen in recent votes on health care reform, 30 Democrats sided with 17 Republicans and one Independent to kill the bill.

MAPLight.org found that Senate Democrats who voted to block imports, siding with drug companies, received an average of $73,729 each from drug companies over the past six years-70% more than Democrats who voted in favor of imports.

Among all Senators, those voting to block imports received an average of $85,812 each from drug companies, 66% more than those who voted in favor of imports.

All Democrats (and Independents) Average to Yes votes (allow imports): $43,446 Average to No votes (block imports): $73,729

All Senators Average to Yes votes (allow imports): $51,803 Average to No votes (block imports): $85,812

The pharmaceutical manufacturing industry is opposed to drug importation, claiming the risks of counterfeit medicines and sub-standard regulations could cause undue harm to consumers. Senator Dorgan and 12 co-sponsors argue in the text of this bill that "a prescription drug is neither safe nor effective to an individual who cannot afford it." Dorgan estimates that the bill would save American consumers $100 billion over ten years.

Previous MAPLight.org research has also shown alignment of pharma campaign money and votes in Congress. On a Medicare-related vote in September, Democrats on the Senate Finance Committee who voted in favor of pharma interests received 4.2 times more campaign money from pharma interests than Dems who voted against pharma interests. And in May 2007, the Senate voted to kill a similar effort to allow prescription drug imports. Senators who voted in favor of pharma interests received three times more campaign money from pharma interests-$100,000 each over six years-than Senators who voted against them.

Note: Averages for yesterday's vote exclude Senator Byrd, who did not vote, and recently elected or appointed Senators Roland Burris, Paul Kirk, Herbert Kohl, and George LeMieux, for whom campaign finance records are not yet available.

Campaign Contributions to Senators from Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Interests, January 1, 2003 - August 12, 2009

Methodology: Campaign contributions data provided by the Center for Responsive Politics' OpenSecrets Open Data, and includes PAC and individual contributions from pharmaceutical manufacturing interests. Date range of contributions: January 1, 2003 - August 12, 2009. Contributions to the presidential campaigns of Senators are not included.

MAPLight.org's previous coverage of health care reform includes Lieberman Among Top Recipients of Health Insurance Money; Opposes Medicare Expansion (December 15), Public Option Dies in Senate While Health Industry Money Flows (December 14), analyses of campaign contributions and votes on the public option (Sept. 30, Oct. 8) and votes benefiting pharma interests.