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

Policy
System Name; Bi-State Development Agency, St. Louis
Contact: Diane Sitner
(316) 923-3006
dsitner@bsda-transit.org
Summary: The Rx/OTC policy is included as a separate section of the agency’s drug
and alcohol testing policy. The policy clearly states the employee’s
responsibilities and subsequent consequences for policy violations. The
policy states that employees are ultimately responsible for taking the
necessary precautions to ensure that any medication they take does not
affect their ability to safely perform their job duties. Employees are
instructed to consult with their physician, dentist, pharmacist, or other
appropriate medical practitioners regarding the probable affect of the
medication on their ability to safely perform their job duties. They are
instructed to read warning labels, consult with their pharmacist, and learn
about alternative medications. Most importantly, employees are instructed
to be sensitive to their own reactions to medications. The policy also
addresses use of sick leave, benefits, and reporting requirements.
Advantages: The policy informs employees of their responsibilities in easy-tounderstand
language. Agency management and supervisory personnel
have no official role in the process. There are minimal administrative
costs to the transit agency. The policy addresses consequences for rule
violations, sick leave, and benefits.
Disadvantages: The policy does not require documentation of the medical practitioner’s
determination, and therefore creates no paper trail. The employee is solely
responsible for implementation of the policy. The employee must
effectively communicate with the appropriate medical practitioners, and
subsequently notify the employer and take the appropriate action
regarding the performance of his/her safety-sensitive job duties. The
agency does not have any oversight or review responsibility. The agency
has limited ability to determine if employees are complying with the
policy.