The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said that it will allow Florida to directly import prescription drugs from Canada January 5, making it the first state to receive approval under a plan that aims to bring more affordable medications to the U.S.

According to Reuters, those who support the importation policy have said that buying drugs from other countries could help lower medication costs in the U.S. However, members of the pharmaceutical industry have argued that the plan will not lead to lower costs for consumers and will put the safety of the U.S. drug supply at risk.

The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA), an American pharmaceuticals industry trade group and lobbying organization, said that it is "deeply concerned with the FDA's reckless decision to approve Florida's state importation plan.”

"The importation of unapproved medicines, whether from Canada or elsewhere in the world, poses a serious danger to public health," said PhRMA CEO Stephen Ubl in an emailed statement.

In the same authorization announcement, the FDA said that it was committed to working with other states looking to gain similar approvals. Interested states "must demonstrate the programs would result in significant cost savings to consumers without adding risk of exposure to unsafe or ineffective drugs," said FDA Commissioner Robert Califf.

Florida will need to submit more drug-specific information to the FDA and evidence that the imported drugs comply with FDA standards as well as quarterly reports that include information about imported drugs, cost savings and any potential quality-safety issues, the FDA said.