Topeka ? The State Board of Pharmacy criticized Gov. Kathleen Sebelius’ plan to help residents acquire lower-cost prescription drugs from Canada and Europe.

The six-member board said Friday that the safety of drugs imported through the I-SaveRx program — in which Wisconsin and Missouri also are participating — could not be guaranteed.

“The debate over drug importation and the higher price of prescription drugs in the U.S. has distracted the public from the important issue of health risks counterfeit medications pose to the public,” the board said in a statement.

Sebelius announced Kansas’ participation in I-SaveRx on Tuesday. Aimed at those without prescription drug coverage, the program works through a Canada-based clearinghouse to connect consumers to more than 60 pharmacies and wholesalers in Canada, Ireland and the United Kingdom, promising consumers savings of up to 50 percent on about 100 prescription drugs.

But the pharmacy board attempted to stave off interest in I-SaveRx.

“I wouldn’t have my dad get medicine from there,” said board member Max Heidrick, a Beloit pharmacist.

Under the program, Heidrick said regulators wouldn’t know when unlicensed, overseas pharmacies make mistakes and wouldn’t have authority to do anything about them if they did.

“It comes down to the consumer deciding whether saving money is worth the risk of buying unsafe drugs,” said Jeff Thompson, president of the pharmacy board.

Some pharmacists have criticized I-SaveRx because of its potential impact on business. Five of the pharmacy board’s six members are pharmacists; four were appointed by Sebelius.

Nicole Corcoran, a spokeswoman for Sebelius, said safety inspectors had ensured imported drugs were safe.

“This governor is doing what she believes is in the best interest of the people of Kansas,” Corcoran said. “She believes this program is safe.”

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration also has opposed the importation of prescription drugs, arguing it can’t guarantee the safety of medication sold by foreign pharmacies.