WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. House of Representatives yesterday passed the Veterinary Medicine Mobility Act. A similar bill, authored by U.S. Senators Angus King (I-Maine) and Jerry Moran (R-Kans.), passed the Senate in January. The bipartisan bill allows veterinarians to legally carry and dispense controlled substances to protect the health and welfare of animals across the country, ensure public safety, and safeguard the nation’s food supply.

“Mobile veterinary services are incredibly important, particularly to Maine’s rural farmers who depend on reliable access to vet services to ensure the health of their livestock and their livelihoods,” Senator King said. “That’s why I’m pleased the House rallied around our common sense solution that will allow veterinarians to do their job and provide animal-owners with dependable veterinary care.”

The 1970 Controlled Substances Act stipulates that controlled substances must be stored and dispensed at the specific address veterinarians have on file with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). The DEA enforces the Controlled Substances Act and has informed organized veterinary medicine that without a statutory change, veterinarians that transport or administer the substances outside of that specific address are in violation and cannot legally provide complete veterinary care.

The practice of veterinary medicine requires veterinarians to treat patients in a variety of settings; farm calls, mobile clinics, shelters, research and disease control activities, emergency response situations, and removal or transfer of dangerous wildlife.

The legislation was endorsed by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA).

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