CONCORD, N.H. -- A New Hampshire study released Wednesday found no difference between prescription drugs bought in Canada and the United States.

PRESCRIPTION DRUGS Top 50 Drugs Generic Costs Rising Numbers How Much Do You Spend? COST IN CANADA Are prescriptions less expensive in Canada? Compare Costs Would You Cross The Border? Legalize Reimportation?

Gov. Craig Benson and state health officials secretly bought seven prescription drugs in Canada and tested them to see how they compared with locally purchased drugs. The batches were sent to the state crime lab for testing and found to be identical.

Benson and health officials claimed that the Canadian system actually has more safety checks than the United States.

Video

Pharmacists Warn Importing Could Be Dangerous

"This particular drug operation is a safe and effective drug operation," state Health and Human Services Commissioner John Stephen said.

The drugs included Lipitor for treating high cholesterol; Zoloft for treating depression; Glucophage for treating diabetes; Neurontin, a non-narcotic painkiller; Dilantin for treating seizures; and Prevacid for treating ulcers. Two other medicines requested were not available through the Canadian pharmacy.

"The big difference is pricing," Benson said. "The savings on this is about $550."

Benson immediately came under fire from drug companies and pharmacists, who called the investigation dangerous, misleading and incomplete. They argued that Canadian medicine comes from all around the world, and its safety cannot be guaranteed.

"You're putting the health of people at risk by buying drugs from a source you don't know," said Dave Minnis, of the New Hampshire Pharmacists Association.

Benson said U.S. drugs also come from other countries. He said he believes drug companies are spreading doubt, uncertainty and fear.

"I'm disappointed the only facts brought to this dialogue are from us regarding the safe importation of drugs from Canada," Benson said.

The governor is fighting a big crowd as he follows in other states' footsteps and tries to create a plan to allow New Hampshire residents to import drugs from Canada.

Benson said he's appealing to common sense, insisting that there's a better deal over the border.

"If I had to actually take these drugs myself, I absolutely would [buy them in Canada]," Benson said.

The Food and Drug Administration has opposed plans similar to the one Benson has proposed.