Preserving veterinarians’ access to an essential animal sedative while simultaneously prioritizing human health and safety is the driving force behind a newly passed bipartisan bill, supported by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA).
The House Energy and Commerce Committee has passed the SUPPORT Act, a legislative package aimed to address the growing threat of the opioid crisis, which includes key components of the AVMA-endorsed Combating Illicit Xylazine Act.
Specifically, thanks to advocacy efforts from the AVMA, the language within the SUPPORT Act will schedule xylazine as a Schedule III drug, while exempting from scheduling the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) -approved animal drug.
This means veterinarians will be able to use xylazine as they always have under federal law.
Illicit xylazine has been found across the country mixed with fentanyl and other narcotics, AVMA reports. The potent drug combination poses significant health and safety risks to human users.
Meanwhile, in veterinary medicine, xylazine is a prescription sedative used to facilitate the safe handling and treatment of many species. It is particularly important for use in cattle, horses, wildlife, and research species, the association says.
In both the House and Senate, AVMA helped develop, introduce, and build support for the bipartisan Combating Illicit Xylazine Act. In this bill, those involved with the manufacturing, distribution, dispensing, or possession of xylazine with the intent to traffic for human use would be subject to Schedule III penalties under the federal Controlled Substances Act, while legitimate veterinary uses would remain under their current prescription status.
“The House Energy and Commerce Committee advancing key components of the Combating Illicit Xylazine Act represents months of collaborative work between the AVMA, congressional offices, federal agencies, and other stakeholders,” says the association’s newly installed president, Rena Carlson, DVM. “AVMA appreciates the dedication lawmakers have demonstrated to address the public health crisis of illicit xylazine while at the same time understanding how essential the animal sedative is to veterinary medicine.”
The Combating Illicit Xylazine Act was introduced into Congress by Sens. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), and Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.); and Reps. Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif.), August Pfluger (R-Texas), Gus Bilirakis (R-Fla.), Ken Buck (R-Colo.), and Chris Pappas (D-N.H.).
“Our goal is to save lives and to make sure law enforcement has the tools it needs to respond appropriately to those who are making these deadly concoctions that are killing so many of our neighbors,” says Rep. Bilirakis. “At the same time, we must ensure those veterinarians who are using xylazine for legitimate purposes have the ability to continue doing so. Our legislation strikes that right balance.”
Dr. Carlson agrees.
“This policy strikes a well-balanced approach and the AVMA will continue its efforts in both chambers to ensure this policy is signed into law,” she says.
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