By Cameron W. Barr and Tim Craig
Washington Post Staff Writers
Wednesday, September 22, 2004; Page A01

The Montgomery County Council voted yesterday to begin buying medications in Canada, joining a handful of local governments and nearly 2 million U.S. consumers in defying federal law.

The council's decision will give as many as 85,000 county employees, retirees and their dependents the option of obtaining lower-cost "maintenance" medications from a Canadian vendor as soon as February. Proponents say the county could save as much as $20 million a year if members of its health plans fully embrace the initiative.

Montgomery's action reflects rising frustration with the federal government, which declines to approve Canadian imports but does not bar individuals from ordering or bringing in such drugs or stop local governments from facilitating their efforts.