HARRISBURG – Legislation will be forthcoming from Montgomery County Reps. Greg Scott and Liz Hanbidge that would classify the veterinary medicine medetomidine as a Schedule III controlled substance. It is a non-opioid sedative used by veterinarians that is not approved for use in people, but data now shows that up to 80% of fentanyl samples tested in PA contain it, increasing the risk of overdose for people who illegally use fentanyl. A concern with medetomidine is that its sedative effects do not wear off if the overdose-reversing drug naloxone is used. The lawmakers say medetomidine is making an already deadly drug crisis even more dangerous and the state cannot afford to wait to address this growing threat. By classifying medetomidine as a Schedule III controlled substance, it will help curb its spread in the illicit drug supply while ensuring veterinarians can continue using it for legitimate animal care.
