The pharmacy in Ocala that compounded a vitamin and mineral supplement for the 21 polo ponies that collapsed and died in Wellington, Florida on Sunday, has taken responsibility for their deaths. "The strength of an ingredient in the medication was incorrect," Jennifer Becket, COO of Franck's Pharmacy told reporters. "We will cooperate fully with the authorities as they continue their investigation."
The supplement in question is called Biodyl and is made up of vitamin B, selenium, potassium and magnesium. It is routinely used to help animals recover from strenuous activities although it is outlawed in the United States. According to a statement released by the Lechuza Caracas polo team, "Biodyl is not the issue in this instance." What is the issue is the improper mixing of a compound believed to mimic Biodyl, at the request of an unnamed Florida vet.
Apparently this is all standard procedure for a foreign team that competes in the United States. They believe the benefits of using this vitamin/mineral supplement outweigh the possibility of having the ingredients improperly mixed. And apparently Franck's is one of the top suppliers in the nation of veterinary chemical compounds. The pharmacy also mixed compounds for human consumption. According to the Florida Department of health, the pharmacy has never had any disciplinary action against it and its reputation is pristine.
Unfortunately what we have here is a case of human error--something that happens at all levels of health care. It is a horrible situation all around. What is going to happen however is probably going to be even worse. Because what the public will hear is "pharmacy, drugs, improperly mixed" and once again, an equine sport, is going to take the rap. For its part, Merial Limited, the French-American company that makes Biodyl, says it is safe and has been used in Europe and Latin America since the 1950s.
Biodyl is used worldwide and is not a performance enhancer, but that is not what the public is going to hear. They're simply going to wonder why horses were being injected with anything at all. And why twenty one innocent beasts had to die.
You can read a local report here.
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"They're simply going to wonder why horses were being injected with anything at all. "
And I think that's a darm good question.
The horse racing community would be much better off if the industry were forced to prove the need before they resort to the needle.
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