(CNN) The Trump administration took another step Wednesday toward allowing the importation of certain drugs from Canada and other countries.

Building on an effort first announced in July, officials unveiled a two-part proposal that would let prescription medications from other countries make their way to the US for the first time.

The idea runs counter to long-held Republican beliefs , but has been championed by President Donald Trump as a way to fulfill his pledge to lower drug prices.

The first proposed rule would allow states, potentially working with wholesalers and pharmacists, to develop programs to import certain drugs from Canada. The list does not include insulin, even though many diabetic Americans have traveled north to buy the drug because prices are lower there.

The second draft guidance would allow manufacturers to import lower-cost versions of brand-name drugs that they sell in foreign countries. Agency officials said drug makers are interested in doing this but have not been able to because of contracts with other players in the supply chain.

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