RMTC: Confidentiality in Research Necessary

An official explains why confidentiality is used when setting medication thresholds and withdrawal times.
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An official with the Racing Medication and Testing Consortium (RMTC) said confidentiality agreements used when the organization considers research to set thresholds and withdrawal times for medications are necessary because of scientific factors and involvement by other racing jurisdictions.

The issue came to light during the recent National Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association (HBPA) summer convention, at which a forum on the bronchodilator clenbuterol was held. Steven Barker, MS, PhD, chemist for the Louisiana State Racing Commission, questioned the use of confidentiality agreements; he suggested the industry should know the science behind a given policy.

Thomas Tobin, MVB, MSc, PhD, MRCVS, Dipl. ABT, a scientist at the University of Kentucky Gluck Equine Research Center and a National HBPA medication adviser, was on the RMTC Scientific Advisory Committee but opted not to sign a confidentiality agreement. The RMTC had decided those who didn’t sign the agreement would be removed from the committee.

The National HBPA, Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association, and Thoroughbred Owners of California all have seats on the RMTC board of directors

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Tom LaMarra, a native of New Jersey and graduate of Rutgers University, has been news editor at The Blood-Horse since 1998. After graduation he worked at newspapers in New Jersey and Pennsylvania as an editor and reporter with a focus on municipal government and politics. He also worked at Daily Racing Form and Thoroughbred Times before joining The Blood-Horse. LaMarra, who has lived in Lexington since 1994, has won various writing awards and was recognized with the Old Hilltop Award for outstanding coverage of the horse racing industry. He likes to spend some of his spare time handicapping races.

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