Harness Racing Victoria (HRV) understands that licensed participants may be required to consume prescribed medication to treat an illness, condition or ailment, which may contain a specified banned substance(s) under the Australian Harness Racing Rules (AHRR).
As such, HRV Stewards remind all licensed participants that it is a requirement under AHRR 252B and 252BB that an application must be made to HRV Stewards for permission to perform licensed activities with a specified banned substance (prescribed medication) in their system.
In addition, any application for exemption to consume such prescribed medication is renewed on each occasion on which participants apply for the renewal of their licence.
AHRR 252B reads:
Notwithstanding the provisions of Rule 250, the Stewards may permit a driver to receive a specified banned substance, subject to the following conditions:-
(a) The medication must be essential treatment for a substantial illness, condition or ailment suffered by the driver.
(b) The medication must be prescribed by a medical practitioner.
(c) The medical practitioner must certify:-
(i) The nature of the illness, condition or ailment being suffered by the driver.
(ii) That no alternative, non-banned substance would serve the same purpose for the illness, condition or ailment concerned.
(iii) That the medication would not affect the driver in a race or track-work to the extent that it could in any way constitute a danger to the driver or other drivers.
(d) The driver must if requested submit to medical examination by a medical practitioner appointed by a Controlling Body or Stewards to advise it or them on the matters raised in sub-paragraphs (i), (ii) and (iii) of paragraph (c) of this rule.
(e) The driver must:-
(i) Before driving make application to the Controlling Body or Stewards for permission to drive with a specifically prescribed banned substance in his system.
(ii) Adhere strictly to his prescribed medication and must report to the Stewards immediately he forms the intention to discontinue or in any way vary his prescribed medication.
(iii) Report to the Stewards immediately he believes that either his illness, condition or ailment or his medication may have some influence on his ability to drive effectively and/or safely.
(iv) Renew his application for exemption on each occasion on which he applies for the renewal of his licence.
(f) Under no circumstances shall a person be granted retrospective exemption under this rule.
AHRR 252BB reads:
Notwithstanding the provisions of Rule 250A, the Stewards may permit a person referred to in Rule 250A to receive a specified banned substance, subject to the following conditions:-
(a) The medication must be essential treatment for a substantial illness, condition or ailment suffered by that person.
(b) The medication must be prescribed by a medical practitioner.
(c) The medical practitioner must certify:-
(i) The nature of the illness, condition or ailment being suffered by such person.
(ii) That no alternative, non-banned substance would serve the same purpose for the illness, condition or ailment concerned.
(iii) That the medication would not affect the person carrying on or purporting to carry on licensed activities or official duties to the extent that it could in any way constitute a danger to that person or others.
(d) The person carrying on or purporting to carry on licensed activities or official duties must if requested submit to medical examination by a medical practitioner appointed by a Controlling Body or Stewards to advise it or them on the matters raised in sub-paragraphs (i), (ii), and (iii) of paragraph (c) of this Rule.
(e) The person carrying on or purporting to carry on licensed activities or official duties must:-
(i) Before engaging in the relevant activity make application to the Controlling Body or Stewards for permission to conduct the activity with a specifically prescribed banned substance in his system.
(ii) Adhere strictly to his prescribed medication and must report to the Stewards immediately he forms the intention to discontinue or in any way vary his prescribed medication.
(iii) Report to the Stewards immediately he believes that either his illness, condition or ailment or his medication may have some influence on his ability to conduct the activity effectively and/or safely.
(iv) Renew his application for exemption on each occasion on which he applies for the renewal of his license.
(f) Under no circumstances shall a person be granted retrospective exemption under this rule.
Please refer to AHRR 251 and 251A, which identifies specified banned substances and/or their metabolites, artifacts and isomers.
For further information on this please contact HRV Integrity using one of the following options:
HRV Stewards – Phone – 03 8378 0292
Integrity Hotline – Phone – 03 9214 0651 or Email – integrity@hrv.org.au