Rockville, Md. ? The county that is home to the Food and Drug Administration took a first step Tuesday toward buying prescription drugs from Canada, despite FDA warnings that such a practice would be illegal.

In a 7-2 vote, the Montgomery County Council passed a resolution that instructs county benefits managers to solicit bids from companies that sell Canadian prescription drugs to Americans. The council hopes to have the program in place by Feb. 1.

The suburban Washington county would join several other states and jurisdictions that have turned to Canada and other foreign countries to try to hold down prescription drug costs for public employees.

The FDA, headquartered in Rockville, has sent warning letters to governments that have adopted similar plans.

Several council members who voted for the resolution were emboldened by the FDA’s failure to sue in those cases, saying it is a sign the agency was reluctant to enforce its position.

“The credibility of the FDA is being called into question,” said Council President Steven Silverman. “They can’t have it both ways.”

The FDA has filed legal action against some suppliers.