The Ohio Department of Agriculture (“Ohio Lab”)'s probationary HISA Equine Analytical Laboratory (HEAL) accreditation status of the Analytical Toxicology Laboratory has been suspended for a minimum of six months, starting Feb. 9, according to a Horseracing Integrity & Welfare Unit (HIWU) release on Tuesday.
Samples collected in Ohio will be directed to the Kenneth L. Maddy Equine Analytical Chemistry Laboratory at the University of California, Davis for analysis.
HIWU's independent Laboratory Expert Group, which evaluates the performance of Program laboratories, recommended the suspension of the Ohio Lab's probationary HEAL accreditation due to nonconformities associated with HEAL compliance. HIWU, in consultation with its Laboratory Expert Group, will review the Ohio Lab's response to this suspension and associated corrective actions. Probationary accreditation status will not be restored unless and until the laboratory is in full compliance with HEAL.
HIWU's review of the Ohio Lab is ongoing, and any impact on resolved or pending ADMC Program cases will be publicly disclosed in accordance with Program rules.
The HEAL accreditation program was implemented on Jan. 1, and is the national laboratory accreditation program established by HISA's Anti-Doping and Medication Control Program. Overseen by HIWU, it builds on the foundations of the ISO 17025 and Racing Medication & Testing Consortium models and requires a robust External Quality Assessment Scheme to ensure that Program laboratories maintain HEAL standards.
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