STAT+: FDA approves Colorado’s plan to import cheaper drugs from Canada

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Colorado's plan to import prescription drugs from Canada on Monday, making it the second U.S. state to receive such authorization. This move aims to reduce medication costs for Colorado residents. The practice of Americans seeking drugs from Canada for lower prices has existed for over 25 years, but it was officially endorsed by the Trump administration in 2020 through a regulation allowing states and Indian tribes to propose import plans. The Biden administration further supported this by affirming the rule with an executive order in 2021. Florida was the first state to gain FDA approval for a similar program in 2024. However, implementing these state importation programs has faced significant challenges. Florida has not yet imported any drugs from Canada, citing opposition from the Canadian pharmaceutical industry and concerns about the impact on Canada's drug supply. The FDA extended Florida's approval by six months in May to allow more time for program implementation.