WASHINGTON, DC - The House of Representatives on Tuesday approved H.R. 1528, the Veterinary Medicine Mobility Act, by a voice vote. The Energy and Commerce Committee approved this bipartisan legislation, authored by Rep. Kurt Schrader (D-OR), in April.
Speaking in support of the legislation, Health Subcommittee Chairman Joe Pitts (R-PA) said, “This is a commonsense bill that is supported by the veterinary community and will bring clarity to the sometimes conflicting guidance from the Drug Enforcement Administration, the DEA, relative to the Controlled Substances Act and the ability of a licensed veterinarian to transport and dispense controlled substances in the usual course of veterinary practice outside of the registered location. Simply put, the bill allows veterinarians to legally carry and dispense controlled substances in the field."
Full Committee Chairman Fred Upton (R-MI) added, “Veterinary medicine is a mobile profession, particularly in rural areas where the patients being treated are often large animals like horses and cows. It is simply impractical to transport them long distances to a hospital or clinic for care. Accordingly, vets must routinely leave their physical office to administer therapies, often times in emergency situations. Prohibiting vets from doing so would needlessly cause many animals to suffer and even perish. The Subcommittee on Health has a proven track record of bipartisan success, and today’s approval of this bill adds to that record."
Read Chairman Upton’s complete comments here.
