"Doing that is not something we can count on," said Fletcher a physician. He called the idea a "deflection" from the issue of soaring health-insurance costs.

The retiree-advocacy group AARP of Kentucky called on state officials Friday to buy drugs from Canada. At least two legislators say they will file bills aimed at importing the drugs.

"This is an easy step we can take while we are working on a more complex approach," said state Sen. Daniel Mongiardo, D-Hazard and also a physician, who plans to file his bill Monday.

House Speaker Jody Richards, D-Bowling Green, said he plans to file a similar bill in the House. Lawmakers have said they would consider a way to bring cheaper drugs from Canada to Kentucky as part of a plan to improve health-care coverage for 226,000 state workers, retirees and their family members.

Teachers have threatened a strike Oct. 27 at the cost of health insurance under changes proposed by Fletcher.

In Canada, government controls keep prescription prices as much as 40 percent lower than in the United States. State Auditor Crit Luallen last month released a report that found that the state could save more than $100 million a year by obtaining drugs from Canada.

Friday, AARP officials announced support for Mongiardo's bill.

So far the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has rejected waiver requests filed by five other states.