BOSTON (AP) – Mayors from 12 New England cities urged federal officials to place controls on prescription drug imports from Canada, saying it would smooth the way for legal bulk purchases of medication from across the border.

The mayors said at a news conference in Boston that they signed a letter to Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy G. Thompson calling for a certification system for drugs bought from Canadian suppliers.

It is currently illegal to buy drugs from Canada, but regulators frequently turn a blind eye to the practice.

“We need to structure a safer way to import these life-saving medications,” the letter reads.

The mayors represent cities in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island and Vermont.

The purchase of less expensive drugs from Canada, where there are government price controls, has gained popularity as cities and states look for ways to save money. But the federal government has objected, citing safety reasons.

Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino has met with Food and Drug Administration officials about his city’s pilot program to give about 11,000 city employees and retirees the option of filling prescriptions by mail from Canadian suppliers.

Despite FDA objections, Menino said Friday he intends to go ahead with the plan on July 1.

said he expects the city to save about $1.5 million per year.

Also Friday, federal regulators warned Wisconsin’s governor against plans to expand a state Web site to help people order drugs from Canadian pharmacies.

“Clearly, it’s illegal. More importantly, it’s unsafe,” said Peter Pitts, associated external relations commissioner for the FDA.

A spokesman for Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle said the FDA should help people get cheaper drugs rather than threaten states.

“It’s really disheartening that the Bush administration is siding with drug companies rather than with seniors,” said Dan Leistikow.