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Protecting the Legitimate Use of Xylazine in Veterinary Medicine
July 3, 2023
Dear CVMA members:
Recently, xylazine has emerged as an adulterant in the toxic illegal drug supply, primarily in combination with fentanyl. Its presence in drug samples in North America has been increasing, and it has been detected in some opioid-related deaths. In Canada, xylazine is regulated as a prescription drug under the Food and Drugs Act and its regulations for use in animals, but it is not approved for use in humans.
The combination of xylazine and fentanyl has recently been designated as an emerging threat in the U.S. and the U.S. Biden-Harris Administration announced it plans to publish a whole-of-government response that includes evidence-based prevention, treatment, and supply reduction. Health Canada has shared its concern about the emergence of xylazine as an adulterant in the toxic illegal drug supply and are considering what risk mitigation measures may be necessary. The Department is mindful that xylazine is an important tool used for the safe and humane handling of animals.
While the CVMA acknowledges the serious public health and public safety concerns associated with xylazine, our association is working proactively to ensure Canadian policy-makers understand the importance of the drug to veterinary medicine and explain how restricting legitimate uses of this veterinary drug could negatively impact animal health and welfare. The CVMA has also connected law enforcement with a subject matter expert to inform them on the legitimate uses of xylazine in veterinary medicine.
Veterinary pharmacology experts have advised the CVMA that reversal agents for xylazine used in veterinary medicine are not authorized for use in people and may not be well known in human medicine. With this in mind, the CVMA met with a Canadian Medical Association representative and shared information on reversal agents and is following up with the Canadian Society for Addiction Medicine with similar information.
The CVMA has been and will continue to be in communication with Health Canada’s Veterinary Drugs Directorate (Health Products and Food Branch), the Controlled Substances Directorate (Controlled Substances and Cannabis Branch), and the Regulatory Operations and Enforcement Branch on this important issue. The CVMA remains fully engaged with key decision-makers on this complex public health policy file and will keep its members up to date on further developments to ensure our association continues to advocate for the protection of legitimate uses of xylazine in veterinary medicine on behalf of our members.
Please contact Dr. Shane Renwick, CVMA Manager, National Issues at srenwick@cvma-acmv.org with suggestions or feedback on the above.
Sincerely,
The CVMA