The board of directors of the Association of Racing Commissioners International (RCI) voted without objection this week in favor of a resolution calling for the re-examination of whether its current policy pertaining to furosemide (Salix, commonly used to treat exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage in race horses) should be continued.

The RCI also endorsed international coordination and collaboration on overall medication policies and underscored the need to do so with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory and corticosteroid treatments.

"This issue elicits strong opinions," said RCI President Ed Martin. "Our goal is to do what is right for the sport and its equine and human athletes. This begins our formal process to consider the proposals that have been made."

The RCI resolution expressed support for the international summit to be jointly convened this summer by the Racing Medication and Testing Consortium, the American Association of Equine Practitioners, and the National Thoroughbred Racing Association. That summit was spurred by calls by some RCI officials for a multi-year phase out of race day administration of furosemide as well as adjuncts where allowed