The FDA has approved Florida’s plan to import prescription drugs from Canada, making it the first state to do so. This has been a long-awaited solution for accessing more affordable medications, as the high prices of drugs in the U.S. have been a source of frustration for decades.

In 2019, Republican Governor Ron DeSantis approved the plan, but it needed to be reviewed and approved by the FDA, which is responsible for regulating imported prescription drugs.

In 2021, President Joe Biden, who is a member of the Democratic party, showed support for these initiatives as a means of reducing costs. He took action by issuing an executive order that instructed the FDA to collaborate with states on importing goods.

The White House deemed Friday’s move as “progress in the right direction” and urged other states to also seek approval for importing.

According to a statement from White House spokesperson Kelly Scully, Americans have been required to pay the most expensive prices for prescription drugs compared to other developed countries for an extended period of time.

Although American politicians praised the idea, Canadian healthcare professionals deemed it unrealistic due to the current supply difficulties the nation is already experiencing.

According to Joelle Walker, representative of the Canadian Pharmacists Association, Canada has faced significant shortages of drugs in the past. Therefore, the suggestion of importing them from the United States is not a viable option.

The recent change in policy in the U.S. marks a significant change after the pharmaceutical industry’s persistent lobbying efforts. The industry has argued that importing drugs could put American patients at risk of receiving counterfeit or contaminated medications. The FDA has also expressed concerns about the challenges of ensuring the safety of drugs from foreign countries.

However, the political stance on this matter has changed over the past few years. Both parties, including former President Donald Trump, have strongly advocated for the import approach.

Jeff Johnson, the director of AARP Florida, expressed enthusiasm about the recent federal decision. However, he acknowledged that it is just one of many necessary steps to reduce the cost of prescription drugs. He also pointed out that the majority of people may not see immediate savings, but the state as a whole will benefit financially.

Johnson stated that unless we receive healthcare coverage from Medicaid or a state-run program, it is unlikely that we will be able to save money on prescription drugs. He believes that a combination of various solutions to lower drug prices will be more effective.

The FDA announced that Florida’s program will receive authorization for a duration of two years, however, the import process will not commence right away. As per federal regulations, state authorities must conduct tests on the drugs to verify their authenticity and repackage them to meet U.S. standards.

The FDA requires Florida’s health department to submit a report every quarter detailing the types of imported drugs, cost savings, and any safety or quality concerns.

The initial report of the FDA’s action was published by The New York Times.

Governor DeSantis, who is in competition with Trump for the Republican nomination for president, has previously taken legal action against the Biden administration for supposedly holding up the approval of the import program. Numerous other states are also waiting for approval from the federal government.

“According to a statement from DeSantis, Florida will finally have the opportunity to bring in affordable, life-saving prescription drugs after facing delays from government officials for many years.”

The decision by the FDA may be met with legal opposition, as the trade group for the pharmaceutical industry has deemed it a threat to the well-being of the public.

The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America expressed grave reservations about the FDA’s irresponsible approval of Florida’s state importation plan in a statement released on Friday.

A considerable number of individuals currently purchase a portion of their medications from Canadian or Mexican pharmacies, despite the fact that it is technically unlawful to import them.

The process of enabling state imports was initiated during the administration of Trump, who was a persistent opponent of industry pricing.

According to the current rules, states have the ability to bring in specific medications from pharmacies and wholesalers. DeSantis has previously predicted that taxpayers could potentially save up to $150 million each year through this program.

The proposed plan by the state covers various types of medication, such as those for asthma, COPD, diabetes, HIV and AIDS, and mental disorders.

The prescription drugs will be limited to specific individuals, such as foster children, prisoners, select elderly patients, and potentially Medicaid beneficiaries in the future.

Canada, along with other developed countries, imposes restrictions on the pricing of medications in order for pharmaceutical companies to enter the market. Officials in Canada have stated that their prescription drug market is not significant enough to significantly affect prices in the United States.

In the past, the U.S. government had little control over the prices set by pharmaceutical companies. However, in 2022, Congress passed a legislation that grants the federal government the ability to negotiate prices for a limited number of drugs used by elderly individuals in the Medicare program. The initial negotiations are scheduled to occur later this year.

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This story was contributed to by Zeke Miller, a writer for the Associated Press in Washington, and Brendan Farrington, a writer in Tallahassee, Florida.

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The Health and Science Department of the Associated Press is funded by the Science and Educational Media Group of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. The AP is fully responsible for all of its content.