The House of Representatives has recently passed the Support for Patients and Communities Reauthorization Act, a decision welcomed by the Meat Institute. This act includes provisions specifically targeting the misuse of xylazine in humans while ensuring its continued availability for veterinary purposes.
Xylazine, a drug sanctioned by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for use in animals, is integral in the humane treatment of cattle within beef processing facilities. Julie Anna Potts, the President and CEO of the Meat Institute, underscored the drug’s significance in ensuring animal welfare and worker safety. She pointed out the absence of any alternative that matches xylazine’s safety and efficacy.
The issue at hand is the illegal importation and use of xylazine, particularly its combination with fentanyl, despite it not being approved for human consumption. The Combating Illicit Xylazine Act, a part of the broader Support for Patients and Communities Reauthorization Act, H.R. 4531, received overwhelming bipartisan support in the House, passing with a vote of 386-37.
Potts expressed appreciation for the efforts of Congressman Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif.) and August Pfluger (R-Texas), along with the Energy and Commerce Committee, in integrating the xylazine-related measures into the bill. She also called for prompt action from the Senate on this matter.
The legislation is designed to give the Drug Enforcement Agency the authority to prevent the illegal diversion of xylazine to human users while preserving its availability for veterinary use.
This legislative step is crucial in balancing the need to control the illicit use of xylazine in humans with the necessity of maintaining its availability for essential veterinary applications.
