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

Procedures
System Name: Utah Transit Authority, Salt Lake City
Contact: Ruth Hendricks
(801) 262-5626
rhendricks@uta.cog.ut.us
Summary: Safety-sensitive employees are required to discuss their safety-sensitive
job duties with their prescribing physician and ask if the new medication
will impair their ability to safely perform their job duties. Physicians must
complete a Medical Approval Form indicating approval with any
restrictions or instructions so noted.
The UTA MRO classified prescribed medications into two categories:
those that need not be reported and those that must be reported.
Medications that do not need to be reported include antibiotics, birth
control pills, vitamins, local dental injections, creams, ointments, and
lotions. All other prescribed medications must be reported.
To report a medication, the employee must take a Medical Approval Form
to the physician. The physician must be aware of the employee’s job
requirements, medical history, and other medications being taken by the
employee. Once the form is complete, the employee returns it to the
Human Resources Department. The ultimate responsibility for ensuring
that use of the medication does not pose a safety risk lies with the
employee. If an employee’s use of an Rx or OTC medication creates a
safety hazard, the employee is subject to discipline including termination.
Advantages: The employees are responsible for the safe performance of their job duties.
To relieve the reporting burden, the medical approval form provides
employees with a list of drugs that the MRO has determined are not a
safety risk, and those that could be a safety risk. It also provides clear
direction to physicians regarding the information they must consider
during the approval process. The information includes job duties, medical
history, and other medications. The process emphasizes safety.
Disadvantages: There is no review or authorization procedure for use of OTC medications.
Employees have up to 7 days to return the Medical Approval Form.
Employees are required to possess the form prior to visiting a doctor.