FAQ-Can we provide non-prescription drugs in first aid kits?

FAQ - Can we provide non-prescription drugs in first aid kits?

Q.   We have several first aid boxes at various points in our warehouse for the use of employees.   These boxes contain non-prescription medications such as Tylenol and cold medicine for the use of employees and are not monitored.   Should we as an employer, be providing these products to our employees for their use?

A.   Unfortunately, HR.com is not in a position to provide legal advice so please understand that any information that is provided are simply suggestions.   It would be a good idea to contact your organizations legal council concerning this issue.   Another good source of information would be to contact your first aid kit provider; they should be able to provide you with the legalities and of any risks associated with these products.

In response to your situation, it may be wise NOT to provide these drugs as a part of the first aid kit. Here are several reasons for this:

• It is the responsibility of your company to ensure that these drugs are always "fresh" because you might run into problems if an employee uses these drugs after they have expired and the employee has a negative reaction (which may or may not be related to the expiry date)

• You may be held responsible for causing an allergic reaction if you provide the drugs for employees and this allergic reaction causes health implications

• If an employee has an existing medical condition, such as liver disease, and takes one of the pills that you provide, which causes a reaction or further complicates his/her medical condition, you may be held liable

• If you provide a drug that can contribute to safety issues, such as providing cold medicine that causes drowsiness, and an incident occurs, you can be held liable

• If the drug contains an ingredient that has been recalled by the Food and Drug Administration, such as the ingredient in cold medicines that has been recently linked to causing strokes, and an employee takes the drug and consequently suffers a stroke, you can again be held liable

• It is really everyone''s responsibility to look after his or her own needs medication needs.   In the employer''s case, it is their responsibility to look after everyone''s needs as a whole and anything that could contribute to the health and safety issues of its employees.