FDA Allows First-Ever Canadian Drug Imports To U.S.

The Food and Drug Administration announced Friday it will allow Florida to import medications from Canada, following decades of attempts by states in the U.S. to purchase drugs in bulk at a cheaper price from the country.

Florida will be allowed to purchase medicines in bulk for the state’s Medicaid program, government clinics and prisons from Canadian wholesalers under the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, the FDA said Friday.

Florida is required to report details about what drugs the state plans to import and whether those drugs are potent and not counterfeit before distributing them to consumers, according to the agency.