Its Affect on Employees Ability.

We all know the dangers of consuming drink or illegal drugs at work as well as the social stigma involved, but can consuming necessary prescription or over-the-counter medication produce similar effects? With regulations from the Health, Safety and Welfare at Work Act, 2005 expected to come into effect in 2007, this is a big issue for both employers and employees. The Act states that an employee is not to be under the influence of an intoxicant to the extent that he or she could endanger his or her safety, health or welfare at work or that of any other person.

However, what happens when the employee is taking a drug such as an anti-depressant or painkiller that states it may cause drowsiness?

Daragh O’Loughlin is a Galway pharmacist, a member of the Irish Pharmaceutical Union and Chairman of the Community Pharmacy Committee. He says that there are certain prescribed medications as well as over-the-counter preparations that can cause drowsiness and may be unsuitable in safety-specific workplaces.

For those who are using heavy machinery, for example, some prescribed medications such as anti-anxiety drugs may impede performance. “Benzodiazepines such as Valium or Xanex are sedating and reduce concentration. People are advised not to drive with these and ideally they should only be used in the short term.

“Any psychoactive drugs such as anti-depressants can make you drowsy,” he continues. “People on anti-depressants can feel drowsy for the first while when taking them. This often wears off after 10 days or so.”

Older types of anti-histamines can have a similar effect, says O’Laughlin. “Older anti-histamines do cause drowsiness but newer ones don’t. Painkillers can also cause drowsiness, depending on the person. Headache medication such as Syndol can affect concentration.”

Codeine has been in the news recently, as anecdotal evidence is emerging that suggests it is highly addictive. As well as being an effective painkiller, consuming codeine in a normal fashion can result in drowsiness and fatigue. O’Loughlin recommends that if an employee thinks he or she may need to take medication that will possibly affect his or her working performance, ideally the employer should be informed. In reality, however, this rarely happens.

Difficult Situation

“Some people on prescribed medication are advised by their doctor not to drive or operate machinery because of the risk and so may be certified as unfit to work while taking the medication,” says Kieran Sludds, occupational health manager with the Health and Safety Authority. “However, some employees will be reluctant to inform their employer about these medications for both personal and economic reasons.”

It’s also true that many people ignore the warnings on medicines. “We tell people at point of purchase not to carry out risky activity , but to be honest, in many cases it goes in one ear and out the other,” O’Loughlin explains. “People are getting a lot of information at this time, such as when to take the medication or how to take it, so it may just be information overload. However, any medication that may cause drowsiness is always clearly labelled.”

Dick Staunton, manager of addiction services at EAP Services, worked as a solicitor in America for many years and has dealt with the issue of drug use in the workplace for some time. EAP Services helps employers to produce drug and alcohol policies, which he believes are imperative for business at the moment, as well as assisting employees who may need addiction counselling.

“I think companies have to have a drug and alcohol policy as part of their overall human resources (HR) policy,” says Stanton. “It’s a liability and it’s important to have procedures set up.”

Many transport companies have established policies already and many companies require medicals before commencement of employment. Stanton says that when it comes to taking medication that may impair working performance, employees should definitely tell their employer and should not partake in a safety critical activities while taking them. “Once the employer knows about it, it’s up to him or her to do something or get a medical person to make a decision on it.”

Stanton believes that more information on the effects of prescription drugs on the workplace is needed. O’Loughlin strongly agrees. “Employers should have a duty of care to an employee if they are aware the employee is taking medication. I would advise anybody who is prescribed medication to ask when they’re buying it if it affects his or her ability to work and, if so, how. Then they should tell their employer confidentially that they’re taking medication. They don’t have to disclose what it is but it’s important to be open about it.”

A good in-company HR policy on drug use in the workplace will not only cover legitimate medicines, it should also regulate any other drug use or misuse in the workplace, including the consumption of alcohol. One of the more contentious parts of 205 Act was the legislation covering drug testing in the workplace. This area, which is expected to be regulated in 2007, is a can of worms, with issues such as data protection, workplace safety and employer liability all in the mix.

So far there are no regulations on intoxicants and the term intoxicant does not differentiate between legal and illegal drugs. These issues will be clarified in detail when the regulations come into effect.

In terms of misusing prescription drugs, O’Loughlin says this issue has become more difficult in recent times because both doctors and pharmacists are now more scrupulous. “When benzodiazepines came out first, they were given out quite freely as people didn’t realise how addictive they are. However, now there are certain guidelines and limits on addictive drugs. There is also plenty of anecdotal evidence to suggest an abuse of codeine-based products.”

The Irish Pharmaceutical Union made an announcement warning against the overuse of codeine just last week. “It’s not a massive problem in terms of the population but it’s a big problem for those who have it,” says O’Loughlin.