Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc. (BIVI) has commended the Racing Medication and Testing Consortium (RMTC) for its recent decision to wait on the results of a University of California, Davis (UC Davis), study before ruling on a possible ban of clenbuterol at horse racing tracks.

The study–currently being conducted by Heather Knych, DVM, PhD, and Scott Stanley, PhD–is evaluating the detection and pharmacodynamics of the FDA-approved clenbuterol product (manufactured by BIVI and marketed as Ventipulmin) as well as illegally compounded clenbuterol.

The RMTC’s primary concern, as stated by chairman Bobby Lewis, DVM, in a recent press release, is "the abuse of clenbuterol as a substitute for anabolic steroids."

"Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica is pleased with the RMTC’s decision to wait on the results of the UC-Davis study before making any decisions regarding the use of clenbuterol at race tracks," says John Tuttle, DVM, BIVI senior associate director equine professional services. "BIVI fully supports the research Dr. Stanley is doing at UC-Davis. As the responsible manufacturers, it is our duty to ensure that our product upholds the quality standards set forth by the FDA and provides the benefits as indicated on the label