Canada on Saturday blocked bulk exports of prescription drugs in response to Trump's efforts to allow imports from Canada to lower some drug prices for Americans.

One order would allow for the legal importation of cheaper prescription drugs from countries like Canada, while another would require discounts from drug companies now captured by middlemen to be passed on to patients, Trump said.

Last week, U.S. President Donald Trump called on the head of the Department of Health and Human Services, Alex Azar, to speed up the administration's efforts to allow cheaper medicines to be imported from Canada.

The federal government says its new regulations will make patented medicines more affordable.

A pharmaceutical group is telling Canada to act early to prevent drug shortages if the U.S. begins importing Canadian medication.

The Canadian Pharmacists Associations is among those raising concerns about the Trump administration's announcement.

Ontario and Quebec privately expressed concerns about the federal government's plan to slash drug prices.

Typically, a vial of insulin Type 1 diabetics need to regulate their blood sugar costs about US$340 in the United States, roughly 10 times the price in Canada.

Drug companies offered to forego revenue and freeze prices ahead of a planned crackdown on Canadian prescription drug prices, documents show.

For years, patients have been able to get Firdapse for free through a U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) program called "compassionate use."