Skip to content
Congress·In Committee·about 1 year ago

Congress Proposes Classifying Xylazine as a Controlled Substance to Combat Illegal Drug Use

Also known as: Combating Illicit Xylazine Act

Legislative Progress

✓ Filed
Review
Senate
House
President

Impact Analysis

Scores: 1 = low, 5 = highSentiment: -5 to +5 (net benefit)

Key Points

  • This bill would classify xylazine as a Schedule III controlled substance. Xylazine is a powerful tranquilizer used by veterinarians for animals like horses and cattle, but it is increasingly being mixed with illegal drugs like fentanyl, leading to severe health risks and deaths.
  • Veterinarians and pharmacies would still be allowed to use and sell the drug for animal care, but they would have to follow stricter federal rules for recordkeeping and security. People who own or care for animals can still legally have the drug if a licensed vet prescribes it.
  • The policy aims to stop the drug from being diverted to the illegal market. By making it a controlled substance, the government can use a special tracking system to see where the drug is going and catch people who are selling it for human use.
  • If this becomes law, most recordkeeping rules would start within 60 days, while new requirements for labeling and packaging would take one year to begin. This gives businesses and doctors time to adjust to the new regulations.
  • To prevent supply shortages for animal care, the bill says companies that already make xylazine do not have to spend money on expensive new security upgrades for their buildings. It also asks the government to study where illegal xylazine is coming from and if similar drugs are becoming a problem.
HealthcareCriminal JusticeAgriculture

Milestones

2 milestones2 actions
Feb 12, 2025Senate

Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Feb 12, 2025

Introduced in Senate

What Happens Next

Projected impacts based on AI analysis

60 days after enactment

Veterinarians and pharmacies must register and begin recordkeeping for xylazine as a controlled substance

Vets and pharmacies that handle xylazine will need federal registration and must start tracking their inventory, adding new paperwork to the process of prescribing and dispensing the drug for animal care.

1 year after enactment

New labeling, packaging, and distribution rules take effect for xylazine

Manufacturers and distributors must update how xylazine products are labeled, packaged, and shipped to meet Schedule III standards, potentially affecting product availability and costs for a short period.

18 months after enactment

DEA submits first report to Congress on illicit xylazine use

Congress will get its first detailed look at where illegal xylazine is coming from and whether similar drugs are emerging as new threats, which could lead to further policy action.

Related News

4 articles
DVM360·about 1 year ago

Congress reintroduces bipartisan xylazine bill

Bipartisan lawmakers have reintroduced the Combating Illicit Xylazine Act to categorize the drug as a Schedule III controlled substance. The bill includes protections for veterinarians to ensure they maintain access to the sedative for legitimate animal care while cracking down on illicit use.

=
NBC News·2 months ago

Lawmakers Move to Restrict Xylazine Access

Congressional leaders introduced legislation to further restrict access to xylazine, known as 'tranq,' by reclassifying it as a Schedule III drug. The move follows DEA warnings that the drug is found in nearly 25% of seized fentanyl powder, causing severe health risks like necrotic skin ulcers.

CL=
Agri-Pulse·7 days ago

How Congress can protect a vital animal drug while cracking down on illicit use

The American Veterinary Medical Association urges Congress to pass the Combating Illicit Xylazine Act to address the rise of 'tranq' in the drug supply. The legislation is framed as a balanced solution that empowers law enforcement while safeguarding the legitimate supply for livestock and pets.

C+

Source Information

Document Type

Congressional Bill

Official Title

Combating Illicit Xylazine Act

Bill NumberS 545
Congress119th Congress
ChamberSenate
Latest ActionRead twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Sponsor

Cosponsors

(29)
D: 13R: 15I: 1

Analysis generated by AI. While we strive for accuracy, this should not be considered legal or professional advice. Always verify information with official government sources.