RMTC Analysis to Aid ADMC Withdrawal Guidance

The Racing Medication & Testing Consortium announced Feb. 6 that its executive committee has approved the RMTC's scientific advisory committee to develop withdrawal guidance for the screening limits set forth in the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority's proposed anti-doping and medication control regulations. This work will be limited to the RMTC-studied medications on its schedule of therapeutic substances, which represents a subset of HISA's controlled medication substances and is subject to approval by the full board of directors in mid-February.

Assuming approval by the Federal Trade Commission of HISA's ADMC program, starting March 27, attending veterinarians and responsible persons, (e.g., trainers) will be responsible for determining appropriate withdrawal intervals for CMS administered to covered horses.

The SAC is undertaking a rigorous analysis of existing administration data on these therapeutic substances. This data, which was previously produced by the RMTC through its controlled therapeutic substance monograph series, will be applied to ADMC screening limits and detection times recently published by the FTC. Dr. Michael Hardy, RMTC executive director explained, "this analysis will meet the industry's need for scientifically derived information to aid attending veterinarians and horsemen in making medication decisions and to avoid preventable errors. The RMTC's guidance is intended to promote compliance and will not contravene HISA's regulations."

Alan Foreman, chairman and CEO of the Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association and RMTC co-vice chair added, "The RMTC has been a trusted and valued industry resource when dealing with the scientific challenges of the proper therapeutic treatment of our horses combined with the need for regulatory controls to protect the integrity of the sport and the safety and welfare of the horse. We have been urging the RMTC to undertake this effort and are pleased that it has agreed to do so. The information to be provided by the RMTC is critical guidance to assist our horsemen and veterinarians in complying with the new regulatory limits imposed by HISA."

Given the current date of March 27, 2023 for the implementation of the FTC-approved ADMC regulations, the SAC is working diligently to be able to provide any and all available information well in advance of this date.