Effective July 1, 2026
34-20B-20.3. Medetomidine--Schedule III--Exceptions.
Any material, compound, mixture, or preparation that contains medetomidine is a Schedule III controlled drug or substance, except in the following cases:
(1) Dispensing, prescribing, or administering, to an animal, a drug that contains medetomidine and has been approved by the United States secretary of health and human services under 21 U.S.C. § 360b (January 1, 2026);
(2) Dispensing, prescribing, or administering medetomidine to an animal, as permissible under 21 U.S.C. § 360b(a)(4) (January 1, 2026);
(3) Manufacturing, distributing, or using medetomidine as an active pharmaceutical ingredient for manufacturing an animal drug:
(a) Approved under 21 U.S.C. § 360b (January 1, 2026); or
(b) Issued an investigational use exemption under 21 U.S.C. § 360b(j) (January 1, 2026);
(4) Manufacturing, distributing, or using a medetomidine bulk chemical for pharmaceutical compounding by a licensed pharmacist or veterinarian; or
(5) Any other use approved or permissible under 21 U.S.C. §§ 301 to 399i, inclusive (January 1, 2026).