LEXINGTON, Ky. - In an effort to
strengthen rules to combat the use of illegally compounded medications in
racing, regulators are taking steps to ensure that commissions have adequate
authority to sanction licensees who violate existing federal restrictions
limiting the use of such substances.
“Commission investigators are finding
that some are seeking to circumvent existing doping rules by using new drugs
created by combining multiple substances in a compound,” Association of Racing
Commissioners International (ARCI) President Ed Martin said.
“Existing federal rules requiring that
compounded medications be dispensed only by veterinary prescription to address
a specific medical need of an individual horse are being ignored by some. It is
a problem that those doing this believe they won’t get caught by the feds.
Racing commissions are taking steps to ensure that they can confiscate the
substances and bring action against those who use or distribute these illegal
compounds,” he noted.
The ARCI has given approval to a Model
Rules policy that would:
·
Outlaw
the possession or use of a drug, substance, or medication not specifically
approved by an appropriate federal agency absent permission of the Commission
or its designee.
·
Ban
the possession, use, or distribution of a compounded medication on track
property if there is an United States Food and Drug Administration-approved
equivalent of that substance available for purchase.
·
Require
that a compounded medication be dispensed only by prescription issued by a
licensed veterinarian to meet the medical needs of a specific horse and for use
only in that specific horse
·
Create
a racing rules violation for the possession of a compounded medication not
properly labeled consistent with existing federal requirements.
Adoption of the new provision augments
existing efforts of racing commissions to combat illegally compounded drugs. In
2012 several southern and western U.S. state racing commissions quietly
requested federal assistance in tackling this problem. Today state and federal
regulatory entities are cooperating in joint efforts. Additionally, racing
commissions deploy vehicle and barn searches that have been helpful in finding
illegal substances.
The newly adopted policy is included in
the ARCI Model Rules ARCI-011-020 and ARCI-025-020. Commissions are expected to
promulgate regulations in 2015.
Action on a companion provision
concerning medical labeling requirements was deferred by the ARCI pending
public comment on whether a prescription for a substance should be required to
be issued by a veterinarian licensed in the racing regulatory jurisdiction
where the track is located. Due to the fact that many horses participate in
multiple jurisdictions, questions were raised as to whether such a requirement
would impose an undue burden.
Those wishing to comment on the proposed
language may do so online at the ARCI website.
The ARCI acknowledges those who assisted
in the development and drafting of the new model policy, particularly Dr. Lynn
Hovda, Chairperson of the ARCI Regulatory Veterinarians Committee; Dr. Dionne
Benson, Executive Director of the Racing Medication and Testing Consortium; Mr.
Hugh Gallagher of the New York Racing Association; Dr. Mary Scollay-Ward,
Equine Medical Director of the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission, and Dr. Rick
Arthur of the California Horse Racing Board.
The ARCI is the only umbrella
organization of the officially sanctioned governing rulemaking bodies for
professional horse and greyhound racing in North America and parts of the Caribbean.
The ARCI sets standards for racing regulation, medication policy, drug testing
laboratories, totalizator systems, racetrack operation and security, and
off-track wagering entities.
ARCI members are the only independent
entitles recognized to license, enforce, and adjudicate matters pertaining to
racing.
