Pa. House votes to classify veterinary sedative as a Schedule III drug
Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus June 30, 2026 | 3:18 PM
HARRISBURG, June 30 – The Pennsylvania House today passed a bill that would classify a naloxone-resistant animal sedative, medetomidine, as a Schedule III drug.
According to the bill’s prime sponsors, state Reps. Greg Scott and Liz Hanbidge, both of Montgomery County, this is a strategic move to stop the use of medetomidine in street drugs.
“We’re seeing increased use of medetomidine in fentanyl and fentanyl-related overdoses,” said Scott. “This is hugely dangerous. Unlike other sedatives that made it to the street drug market, medetomidine doesn’t respond to naloxone – people who overdose on medetomidine-laced fentanyl have a significantly higher risk of dying because overdose-reversing medicines don’t work.”
Medetomidine is a non-opioid sedative used by veterinarians. It is not approved for use in people. But data now shows that up to 80 percent of fentanyl samples tested in Pennsylvania contain it, increasing the risk of overdose for people who illegally use fentanyl.
“The rapid spread of medetomidine in Pennsylvania's illicit drug supply presents a serious and growing threat to public safety. This dangerous veterinary sedative makes overdoses more difficult to treat, puts first responders at greater risk, and places additional strain on our emergency medical system. As legislators, we have a responsibility to respond before more lives are lost, and that is why Rep. Scott and I introduced this bill,” said Hanbidge.
Studies show that between 75% and 90% of people experiencing withdrawal from medetomidine require ICU-level medical care. Classifying medetomidine as a Schedule III drug would still allow veterinarians to legally use the medicine for treating animals, while making the penalties for possessing or selling it illegally more substantial.
“We’re losing too many Pennsylvanians to the opioid epidemic, and this change is a simple yet impactful means of controlling a substance that is making it harder to save lives. We saw it work with xylazine, and I believe it can work again with medetomidine,” said Scott. “I’m grateful to my peers in the House for supporting our goals and the health and safety of so many of our families.”
In 2024, Pennsylvania designated another sedative drug, xylazine, a Schedule III controlled substance. In response, the use of xylazine in street drugs declined. The representatives hope repeating this tactic with medetomidine will have the same impact.
“I am pleased that this legislation has passed the House and look forward to the Senate doing the same,” said Hanbidge. “By establishing stronger controls on medetomidine, we are taking an important step to save lives, support the brave first responders and healthcare professionals who confront this crisis every day, and better protect Pennsylvanians from an increasingly dangerous drug supply.”
This bill is a companion to S.B. 866. H.B. 2529 passed the House today by a vote of 198-4.