At the March meeting of the Oklahoma Horse Racing Commission (OHRC) members of the voted to amend the current contraband rule regarding clenbuterol to read as follows:

Nor shall any person have in his/her possession within the enclosure the drug Clenbuterol other than in a form approved by the FDA, which approval currently allows the use of clenbuterol under two brand names: Ventipulmin Syrup and Aeropulmin Syrup. Possession within the enclosure of any form of clenbuterol other than the Ventipulmin Syrup and Aeropulmin Syrup, in their original container, the container in which the drug was distributed by its manufacturer, is prohibited.

Clenbuterol is a bronchodilator, and it is used in horses with respiratory problems to relax smooth muscles in the airway, causing the airway to dilate. It also stimulates the activity of the cilia in the trachea, assisting the process of eliminating mucus and microscopic debris. Recently, several racing jurisdictions have imposed new limits or bans on clenbuterol because, like all beta-2 agonist drugs, it has adrenergic (muscle building) effects and was essentially being used as a "replacement" for anabolic steroids.

The revised rule was adopted as both an emergency rule which will go into effect as soon as it is approved by Okla. Governor Mary Fallin and under permanent rulemaking. Possession by anyone within the enclosure will result in strong penalties according the discussion by Commissioners and staff during the meeting. Executive Director Constantine Rieger told horsemen at the meeting that the law enforcement division of the Commission will be vigilant in conducting random and unannounced searches in the barn area to seek out and eliminate contraband clenbuterol at all Oklahoma racetracks. The penalty for possession of contraband can be a suspension of up to one year, and a fine of up to $2,500