The Racing Medication and Testing Consortium (RMTC) board of directors announced April 21 that it will join the National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) and American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) in organizing an international summit this summer to address race-day medication. The exact date and location of the summit will be announced in the very near future. The announcement came following a day-long meeting of the RMTC on April 19 in Dallas, Texas.

"With our scientific research and our Drug Testing Initiative, we have the infrastructure to help the industry administer, in a uniform and effective manner, any medication program it chooses to pursue," said Rick Arthur, DVM, RMTC officer and equine medical director for the California Horse Racing Board.

"The NTRA welcomes the opportunity to bring together a broad range of international industry views on race-day medication," said Alex Waldrop, president and CEO of the NTRA. "Our goal is to ensure that all stakeholders are included in the dialog so that the ultimate conclusions are based on an objective evaluation of the facts."

AAEP Executive Director David Foley also responded to RMTC’s call for action, saying, "The AAEP is pleased to co-sponsor this meeting and stands ready to assist the industry in any way that we can. Our chief concern is for the health and welfare of the horse, and ensuring the integrity and vitality of the sport