The Biden administration will allow Florida to import cheaper prescription drugs from Canada, giving the green light to a plan put in motion by the state several years ago.

The Food and Drug Administration made the decision on Florida’s plan Friday, saying that the state’s health department must likewise provide quarterly reports to the agency, including information on cost savings and potential safety and quality issues.

FDA Commissioner Robert Califf said in a statement that the agency was “committed to working with states and Indian tribes” trying to develop importation proposals.

“These proposals must demonstrate the programs would result in significant cost savings to consumers without adding risk of exposure to unsafe or ineffective drugs,” Califf said.

The FDA decision marks the latest turn in a back and forth between states and the federal government over importing cheaper drugs.

The pharmaceutical industry is already pushing back on the FDA’s announcement.

Stephen Ubl, president and CEO of the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA), called the FDA’s approval of Florida’s plan “reckless.”

“Ensuring patients have access to needed medicines is critical, but the importation of unapproved medicines, whether from Canada or elsewhere in the world, poses a serious danger to public health,” Ubl said in a statement. “Politicians need to stop getting between Americans and their health care.”

Ubl also noted that PhRMA “is considering all options for preventing this policy from harming patients.” The group had sued the FDA in 2020 over a Trump administration plan for importing Canadian drugs. The lawsuit was later dismissed.

President Joe Biden issued an executive order in July 2021 that included a call for the FDA to work with states on importing drugs from Canada.

In August 2022, however, Florida sued the FDA, claiming the agency was standing in the way of its drug importation plan.

In addition to Florida, states like Colorado, North Dakota and Vermont have laws that allow importation of drugs, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Over five of those states have asked the FDA for approval, the conference said.