Rank: Forum user
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I am reviewing the companys drugs and alcohol policy and a question has been raised regarding an employee's disclosure of prescribed drug use, namely some one who is on perminant medication for say diabetes or a heart condition. Whilst we would expect the said employee to declare any medical condition, should we also be asking what drugs they take??.
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Rank: New forum user
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I would imagine it would be prudent to know of any potential side effects, for example if some drugs make them drowsy then driving a fork lift wouldn't be wise!
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Rank: New forum user
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I think it is important that you know what the side effects of some medication are, especially if the individual may be risking their own safety or that of others whilst carrying out their usual tasks and taking the medication. A slight change of duties may be necessary for the period they are takeing the medication. It would also be prudent to know where the medication is stored and what to do if the person requires to take their medication, i.e. diabetics who require a boost of sugar. It is also good to point out to someone taking prescribed medication to keep it somewhere safe away from where others can get hold of it.
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Rank: Super forum user
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As a diabetic myself, I don't really see the need to enquire as to the medicine being used. So long as you are aware of my condition, you should be aware of potential symptoms and remedial actions. Knowing what medicine/insulin I am taking wouldn't really make much difference. Every diabetic could use slight variations on the insulin being taken and the amounts would vary considerably depending upon a raft of circumstances. I would hope that the person(s) involved would have good control and be self policing anyway. That said, I have been known to have the odd 'freak' hypo during the past 25 years which are always a shock to the system. From a diabetics' point of view expect your diabetic to deny all accusations of being hypo no matter how obvious it is :-)
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Rank: Super forum user
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I thought the point of asking this in this circumstance was to establish the possibilities of any false positives.
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Rank: Forum user
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Having a D&A Policy and undertaken quite a few tests, I have found that heart and diabetic medication do not show up as do not have active ingrediant that would be part of the main 6 that are tested. Condine based Pain Killers and Cough medicine seem to be the worst as are opiate based.
Before the test all we ask is they are taking medication, making it clear that we do not need to know what they are taking it for. If we get a positive then we will ask for the name so we can look up the active ingrediant.
Happy to discuss further or demonstrate our method and kit if anybody wants to see it in action (Based in Kent)
Rob
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Rank: Forum user
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We have a details A&D policy and all our employees are required to declare there medication before they take it. Their contract of employment requires compliance with the policy and the policy requires this declaration.
Depending on your policy and testing methods asking them to declare medication both over the counter and prescription has got to be part of the policy otherwise you could have someone with side effects which endanger them self or anyone around them.
You need to ensure that they declare the brand of the medication as well - different brands had different issues to consider. (I have seen things as such as RED BULL declared because it is a stimulant just incase)
I have a presentation of A&D including declaration of over the counter and prescription medication from a UK Railway Infrastructure company if that might help, let me know.
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Rank: Forum user
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