On Monday, August 25, the Association of Racing Commissioners International (RCI) issued a media advisory to address any confusion that may have arisen from its press release dated August 20 in regard to the stacking of multiple Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs).
In its August 20 release, RCI explained that it voted to increase penalties for the detection of multiple Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs, commonly known as NSAIDs.
The changes adopted by the organization created three classes of NSAID ‘stacking’ in an effort to differentiate violations caused by trace amounts found in a post-race sample from more serious violations where the concentrations exceeded primary regulatory thresholds. The new policy is intended to increase penalties for more serious violations, providing for a mandatory fine, suspension and loss of purse. RCI regulatory policies continue to forbid the administration of NSAIDs on race day, a process known as ‘NSAID Stacking.’
To view RCI’s August 20 release, click here.
The contents of RCI’s August 25 media advisory appear below.
RCI Affirms 48-hour Restriction on Multiple NSAID Use
LEXINGTON, Ky. - The Association of Racing Commissioners International (RCI) Model Rules clearly prohibit the administration of multiple Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs).
Veterinarians who find it medically necessary to treat a horse with more than one approved NSAID should ensure that no more than one approved NSAID is present above the secondary regulatory threshold. The secondary thresholds scientifically correlate with a 48-hour withdrawal time.
The RCI Controlled Therapeutic Medication Schedule governs the use of a single approved NSAID and the recommended withdrawal times are provided as guidance to facilitate compliance with the regulatory threshold. No NSAIDs may be present above the primary thresholds, which correspond to withdrawal time guidance between 24 hours and 14 days.