Winnipeg, Manitoba ? Gov. Kathleen Sebelius and five other state governors will try to convince Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin not to choke off cross-border sales of prescription drugs.

Sebelius and the governors of Minnesota, Wisconsin, Utah, North Dakota and Maine sent Martin a letter Wednesday asking for a face-to-face meeting in Ottawa.

Martin’s government has been considering restrictions that would shut down Internet drug sales to U.S. customers seeking cheaper medications. It’s an industry with sales of about $700 million last year.

“It is imperative that the Canadian government realize that the restriction of prescription drug supplies could mean the difference between life and death for many Americans, many of whom are residents of our states,” the governors said in the letter, which was spearheaded by Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty.

Canadian Health Minister Ujjal Dosanjh has repeatedly outlined his concerns that “Canada can not be the drugstore to the United States.” He fears the cross-border trade could cause drug shortages in Canada and threaten the country’s regulated pricing system.