A recently published report previewing the National Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association (HBPA) Summer Convention in Minneapolis in late July seemed to indicate that there was little support for proposed changes in the recommended threshold for phenylbutazone due to a lack of participation at the panel session on the topic.

"In fact, quite the opposite is true," according to Dr. Scot Waterman, executive director of the Racing Medication & Testing Consortium (RMTC). "In April, the RMTC board, which represents 25 racing industry stakeholders and organizations that represent Thoroughbred, Standardbred, American Quarter Horse and Arabian racing, made a recommendation to reduce the threshold for the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) phenylbutazone from 5 micrograms per milliliter to 2 micrograms per milliliter of plasma or serum. Actions by our board of directors reflect the sentiments of our constituency."

That recommendation was subsequently and unanimously approved by the Drug Testing Standards and Practices (DTSP) committee of the Association of Racing Commissioners International (RCI) on May 14 and placed on the agenda of the Model Rules Committee, which will convene in Denver on July 23.

"We are pleased by the unanimous approval of our recommendation by the DTSP and look forward to the model rules process in July," said Waterman. "The RMTC board approved the reduction in the threshold in April as a result of concerns expressed by the regulatory veterinary community that the current threshold of phenylbutazone may compromise pre-race examinations