Dozens of veterinarians, organizations and companies have weighed in on the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency’s (DEA) proposal to add the anesthesia induction agent propofol to Schedule IV of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA), and many of those are against the change. The DEA proposed adding propofol to schedule IV in an announcement in the Federal Register in October. In its proposal, the DEA cites research that suggests propofol has the potential to be abused, along the lines of other Schedule IV drugs like methohexital and midazolam. "In a survey of academic anesthesiology programs, 18 percent reported diversion or abuse of propofol," the DEA says. "Twenty-eight percent of the reported abusers of propofol had died due to propofol overdose. The individuals who died were affiliated with health care facilities in which there were no pharmacy or security mechanisms to control access to propofol." Hundreds of comments received Since the proposal was published, nearly 300 individuals, companies and organizations such as the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) have submitted comments to the agency voicing their opinions about the plan. (The comment period ended Dec. 27) The AVMA and many veterinarians expressed concern over the proposal, and urged the DEA not to schedule propofol.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced this week that it is seeking input on ways to address unapproved animal drugs.

Denver upholds pitbull ban, Texas shelter dismantles its gas chamber, and a lions death spurs calls for an exotic pet ban in Indiana.

The federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) On-Site Consultation Program is a popular, mostly risk-free way for small businesses to obtain help identifying workplace hazards, advice on OSHA compliance, and assistance in establishing safety and health protocols. OSHA conducted more than 30,000 visits to small businesses under the program in the last fiscal year alone. The program is voluntary, confidential and free, and is completely separate from OSHA’s enforcement staff, so it does not result in penalties or citations. Participants may also qualify for exemptions from OSHA inspections for several years after the consultation. In effect, businesses that have demonstrated a willingness to work with and comply with agency safety regulations are rewarded with the exemptions. However, changes proposed by OSHA would limit the amount of time that a business is exempt following a consultation, and would also broaden OSHA’s power to investigate businesses even if they qualified for the exemptions. Critics say that the changes could remove the incentives for small businesses to take part in the program, resulting in poorer all-around workplace health and safety awareness.

The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) issued a statement In response to the passage of a new puppy mill law in Missouri.

The U.S. Senate has taken a step toward banning the selling of videos that show the abuse and killing of animals, known as "crush videos."

Several newsworthy items relating to the veterinary world have come out of California recently.

A federal report on Animal Welfare Act (AWA) violations details multiple alleged infractions by a major U.S. airline company that resulted in the deaths of at least 16 animals between 2007 and 2009. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) released its monthly "Recent Animal Welfare Act and Horse Protection Act Enforcement Actions" on the APHIS website. The report lists administrative complaints that were filed against alleged violators of the AWA, as well as a list of those who agreed to pay fines to APHIS for alleged violations of the act.

Missouri voters approved the state’s Puppy Mill Cruelty Prevention Act on Nov. 2 by a narrow margin.

Election Day was mixed for veterinarians running for office across the country.