News Notes

Xylazine Legislation Reintroduced in Congress

The American Veterinary Medical Association’s sustained advocacy has led to the reintroduction of the Combating Illicit Xylazine Act in both the House and Senate. The legislation would provide the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) with tools to help address the illicit drug by scheduling xylazine as a Schedule III drug, ensure common veterinary uses of the drug remain legal; help maintain the availability of the drug on the market for veterinarians; and allow the DEA to track the legitimate supply.

In veterinary medicine, xylazine is an important prescription sedative used to facilitate the safe handling and treatment of many species and is particularly important for use in horses, cattle, wildlife and research species. However, illicit xylazine has now been found across the country mixed with fentanyl and other narcotics. This dangerous drug combination poses significant health and safety risks to human users.

Congress’ Role
Only Congress can make the statutory changes necessary to help preserve the availability of this prescription animal drug for its critical uses in veterinary medicine. Scheduling xylazine without statutory changes by Congress for its unique needs in veterinary medicine will severely disrupt or eliminate the legitimate supply and prohibit critical uses of the drug, according to the AVMA.

The bill also would provide the DEA with transparency into the legitimate drug marketplace by requiring manufacturers and distributors to report inventory and sales to the Automation of Reports and Consolidated Orders System (ARCOS).

“The Combating Illicit Xylazine Act strikes the right balance of helping address the public health threat of illicit xylazine while maintaining veterinary access to this critical animal sedative,” said Sandra Faeh, DVM, the AVMA President. “Strongly endorsed by the AVMA, this legislation is essential to protecting our communities from the grave health and safety risks of illicit xylazine, upholding animal welfare, supporting public health, and ensuring our nation’s veterinarians are equipped with all the necessary resources to provide high-quality veterinary care. We greatly appreciate Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev) and Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Representatives Jimmy Panetta (R-Calif) and August Pfluger (R-Texas) for their leadership on this increasingly important issue. The AVMA looks forward to working with Congress on getting this well-balanced approach enacted into law.”

“Xylazine poses a growing threat across the Silver State, and our law enforcement officers simply don’t have the tools they need to keep our communities safe from this dangerous drug,” Sen. Cortez Masto said. “My bipartisan, bicameral bill would crack down on the illegal use of xylazine while protecting its legitimate use by veterinarians and ranchers. It’s time for Congress to act now and pass this life-saving legislation.”

Sen. Grassley added: “Illicit xylazine is contributing to the national drug epidemic and driving up overdose deaths in communities across the country. Our nation’s laws must keep pace with emerging drug trends. This bipartisan bill recognizes the lethal threat of xylazine and provides law enforcement new tools to combat its spread while ensuring veterinarians, ranchers, and cattlemen can continue to access the drug for legitimate animal treatment.” MeV