Governor Tom Vilsack wants Iowa to take the lead in looking to Canada for cheaper prescription medicines.

The Governor wrote a letter to Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson.

Vilsack promised to work with the FDA to implement a pilot re-importation program and he said such a project could provide a model for other states.

The Governor first brought up the idea of prescription drugs from Canada in early November.

He believes state workers would save $10 million a year and asking government for "test status" is just the latest step.

No one has to convince Wayne and Donna lines that ordering prescriptions from Canada saves money.

Two years ago, they spent over $7,000 out of pocket.

Then they discovered how to order on their computer through a Canadian pharmacy.

Last year the bill fell to $4,000.

Vilsack's proposal offers to help the Food and Drug Administration develop a preferred drug list.

The plan for state employees would use local pharmacies to order from Canadian wholesalers.

The past president of the Iowa Pharmacist's Association says that's a key.

The governor asked the Health and Human Services Secretary to respond with 30 days.

Other states including Illinois, Vermont and Minnesota made similar requests and are still awaiting an answer.

In his letter, Governor Vilsack says recent Medicare legislature gives the secretary the power to set up a re-importation test.

Federal authorities disagree they have the power to declare Canadian drugs safe.

Iowa has 70,000 state employees, retirees and families in a prescription plan.

The state spent $54 million dollars on prescription drugs in 2002.

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