Prescription and Over-the-Counter Medications Tool Kit ... - Home

Policy
System Name: Maryland Transit Administration - Baltimore
Contact: Rick Morse
(410) 767-3850
pmorse@mdot.state.md.us
Summary: This policy is not part of a drug and alcohol testing policy, but is instead a
stand-alone policy. The policy lists prohibited behaviors and describes the
procedure for obtaining a medical assessment and authorization, and
defines the process for notifying one’s superior. The policy explains the
use of sick leave and correlation to the agency’s absenteeism policy. The
policy also describes the employee’s responsibility in relation to OTC
medications. The policy maintains the right for the Maryland Transit
Administration (MTA) medical personnel to review and overrule the
prescribing physician’s determination. The policy also defines discipline
for policy violations. The policy emphasizes that the employees have the
personal responsibility to assess their fitness for duty while using an Rx or
OTC medication.
Advantages: The stand-alone policy emphasizes the importance of the issue of
medication use to the transit agency and avoids any perceived association
with the agency’s drug and alcohol testing program. The policy defines
employee’s responsibility clearly for both Rx and OTC medications, lists
prohibited behaviors and consequences for policy violations that are
correlated with the agency’s overall disciplinary code, places
responsibility for making fitness for duty assessment on medical
professionals, explains the role of employer physician and pharmacist in
OTC evaluation, and provides documentation of assessment and
authorization.
Disadvantages: The policy addresses only physicians and pharmacists and does not
address other medical practitioners who are allowed to prescribe
medication (i.e., psychiatrists, dentists, physician assistants). Medical
authorizations are not tracked or evaluated by management. They are
solely the responsibility of the employee. Medical disqualifications are
the only records that are maintained. No paper trail is maintained at the
agency.