Local

Governor DeSantis announces plan to make prescription drugs cheaper

THE VILLAGES, Fla. — Gov. Ron DeSantis came to The Villages on Wednesday afternoon to announce a plan to lower the costs of prescription drugs in Florida.

DeSantis said he is working with President Donald Trump to import FDA-approved drugs from Canada, saying the same prescription drugs people buy in Florida are up to 75 percent cheaper north of the border.

"I've heard day in and day out from people who had to pay an awful lot of money for prescription medication. It's also one of the leading drivers of cost for businesses and small businesses," DeSantis said to a room full of seniors.

TRENDING NOW:

DeSantis said his plan is legal under a 2003 law called the Medicare Modernization Act, but he said health and human service leaders have denied the law over the last 16 years and refused prescription drug imports.

DeSantis said he plans to make his plan a reality as soon as possible.

WATCH LIVE: Gov. Ron DeSantis in Central Florida

WATCH LIVE: Gov. Ron DeSantis is in The Villages, where his office says he will make a "major announcement." MORE: https://at.wftv.com/2TbTgma

Posted by WFTV Channel 9 on Wednesday, February 20, 2019

After assuming office in January, DeSantis has already made a bevy of announcements, most notibly wanting to end ban on smokable medical marijuana and moving to end Common Core standards in schools.

DOWNLOAD: Free WFTV News & Weather Apps

Not near a TV? Click here to watch WFTV newscasts live

Watch Live: Doppler 9 HD