Racing Commissioners International (RCI) gave final approval April 2 to the "RCI Controlled Therapeutic Medication Schedule," setting the stage for uniform implementation of racing medication rules in the United States.

The RCI schedule is intended to be a guide for testing laboratories in determining the level at which the presence of a substance would violate the rules and become a violation. It also creates restrictions on administering medications within times certain prior to a race, creating a clear line that horsemen and veterinarians should not cross.

"For years we have talked about uniformity but today is the first day that we can say there is agreement as to what constitutes a violation," said RCI chairman Duncan Patterson, who also is chairman of the Delaware Thoroughbred Racing Commission.

Twenty-four substances deemed appropriate for normal equine care are included on the RCI schedule, which closely follows a Jockey Club proposal on medication policy. Additional substances can be considered for inclusion in the schedule upon recommendation from the American Association of Equine Practitioners or the Racing Medication and Testing Consortium