Bupivacaine Added to Prohibited Race Drugs

Summary#

This final regulation (SOR/2023-87) adds the drug Bupivacaine (Bupivacaïne) to the list of prohibited substances under the Pari-Mutuel Betting Supervision Regulations. It was registered on May 1, 2023 and published in the Canada Gazette on May 10, 2023; the amendment came into force on the day it was registered.

What it does#

• Adds Bupivacaine (Bupivacaïne) to the Schedule of prohibited drugs in the Pari-Mutuel Betting Supervision Regulations.
• Keeps the existing system of post-race testing (blood or urine) and reporting of positive tests to provincial racing authorities.
• Notes that the Canadian Pari-Mutuel Agency (CPMA) consulted its drug advisory committee (veterinarians, pharmacologists and chemists), which supported adding this drug.
• States there are no significant new costs or changes to enforcement because the change simply expands the list of banned drugs.

Who's affected#

• Racehorse owners and trainers who must avoid giving horses bupivacaine before races.
• Veterinarians who treat racehorses and advise on permitted and prohibited medications.
• Racetracks and race officials, and provincial racing commissions, which handle rule enforcement when tests are positive.
• Bettors and the racing public, because the change is intended to protect the fairness of pari‑mutuel betting.
• The Canadian Pari-Mutuel Agency (CPMA), which oversees the drug-control program (no extra enforcement workload is expected).

Why it matters#

• Bupivacaine is a local anesthetic that can numb pain and could allow a lame horse to perform better than it otherwise would. Banning it aims to keep races fair and protect bettors.
• The change strengthens the list of drugs tested for after races, helping preserve confidence in racing results.
• The amendment is administrative and does not introduce new testing programs or notable costs, according to the CPMA.