The city of Boston and the state of New Hampshire are willing to break the law to save money on prescription drugs.

Video

N.H. Governor Says Drugs Will Be Safe Boston Mayor Pushes Plan Plan Concerns Boston Pharmacists

Although it's against the law, both jurisidictions plan to begin buying prescription drugs from Canada, where drug prices are lower.

Only one other U.S. city turns to Canada for drugs. Springfield, Mass., began importing prescription drugs for its workers nine months ago, and the city has already saved an estimated $750,000, reported WCVB-TV in Boston.

New Hampshire Gov. Craig Benson said his state will begin buying medicines for prison inmates and Medicaid recipients as soon as possible in a plan he estimated could save the state more than $1 million a year.

Many New Hampshire seniors have boarded buses for Canada for years to buy prescription drugs at lower prices. But Benson said Tuesday those rides will soon be a thing of the past, reported WMUR-TV in Manchester, N.H.

"I used to have a business that sold products worldwide. I didn't get to charge three times the amount for a different market," Benson said. "I think pharmaceutical companies should charge one price for the markets they serve."

Benson said a Web site will be created for New Hampshire citizens to order American-made prescription drugs from licensed Canadian pharmacies.

PRESCRIPTION DRUGS Charts: Top 50 Drugs | Generic Costs Survey: How Much Do You Spend? COST IN CANADA Are prescriptions less expensive in Canada? Table: Compare Costs | Snapshot Survey: Would You Cross The Border? Discussion: Legalize Reimportation?

Benson said the plan can be implemented because of the Medicare law which was signed this week. He said it allows the commissioner of the federal Department of Health and Human Services to give waivers to individuals so they can import prescription drugs.

Federal officials have warned that the safety of drugs purchased outside the country cannot be guaranteed, but Benson said he believes drugs bought in Canada are safe.

"I don't see safety as an issue, but I do know drug companies are using this as leverage for some people in saying it's OK to pay two to three times the price of drugs in other markets," Benson said.

State Democrats and some doctors applaud the move, but they said they will be watching the process to make sure seniors' health and safety remain the top priorities.

Boston Mayor: Plan Saves Money, Sends Message

The Boston plan to import drugs from Canada would shave at least $1 million a year from the city's $61 million prescription drug bill. Mayor Thomas Menino said besides saving the city money, there is political intent in the program, too.

"It's time for the pharmaceuticals, it's time for the (Food and Drug Administration) to understand, the consumer is the only one who pays full price for the prescriptions. It's time for us to get some relief," Menino said.

If the program receives the City Council's blessing, it would go into effect next July. The city has 15,000 workers and retirees and of those, about 7,000 get their medical bills paid directly by the city. That group could opt in to the program and see lower copayments. For the city, the incentive would be a 20 to 40 percent discount through Canadian pharmacies. And if the program proves safe and cuts costs as anticipated, it could be expanded to all city employees.

Although the practice remains illegal, Menino said the city will force the issue.

"They have the right, the FDA, to put procedures in place to give the consumer relief. FDA has refused to do that," said Menino.

Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., said drug importation from Canada is justified.

"Until we get a handle on costs, having a responsible and a safe effective program certainly seems to make a good deal of sense," said Kennedy.

And while the FDA continues to warn about the quality of Canadian drugs, others say the fears are unfounded.

"(They are) safe, they are good, they are healthy, they are the exact same drugs you buy here in this country," Boston City Councilor Michael Ross said. "They are made by the exact same companies."