HIWU Alleges NY Veterinarian Possessed Banned Substance

The first notice of a pending case against a veterinarian has been posted to the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit website.

In its second public disclosure of a pending case, the HIWU alleges Dr. Luis Jorge Perez, DVM, June 9 possessed the prohibited substance levothyroxine, known as Thyro-L, a banned substance in violation of HISA Rule 3214(a). Because it's an allegation involving a banned substance, Perez was handed a provisional (immediate) suspension until the case is resolved.

The HIWU defines levothyroxine as a metabolic hormone, which places it in the "S4" category on its list of banned substances. Levothyroxine's commercial or developmental names include: Thyro-Tabs, ThyroKare, Tirosint, Ermeza, Euthyrox, Levolet, Synthroid, Levoxyl, and Unithroid.

Violations associated with banned substances/methods (anti-doping violations) are generally subject to more significant sanctions than violations associated with controlled medication substances/methods. For first offenders in the anti-doping category, the HIWU rules call for a suspension of up to two years and a fine of up to $25,000 as well as payment of some or all of the adjudication costs and HIWU's legal costs.

Anti-doping violations that do not involve a positive drug test are subject to public disclosure after imposing a provisional suspension. While no resolution has been stated at this time, there are three routes of action: final decision by HIWU, resolution between the covered veterinarian and HIWU, or withdrawal of the charge by HIWU.

Specifics related to this case are not fully known; a call to Dr. Perez has yet to be returned. He practices in West Hempstead, N.Y., on Long Island, near Aqueduct Racetrack and Belmont Park. HIWU does not release the locations where covered persons were cited.