Dismissed for sharing a prescription

hcb42

It is very odd. It is (almost) no different to me giving you a paracetamol really...

Why did they sack both of you, and how did they even know? and have they got nothing else to worry over?

bsms1147

Gingernutty wrote: »

This painkiller?

If it was opiate based (eg. morphine, dihydrocodeine), it was a controlled drug.

You and your colleague have not only committed an offence under the Medicines Act of 1968 (that's any prescription drug), but also the Controlled Drugs Act of 1971.

Dismissal is harsh, but you and your colleague broke the law and this may have a bearing on your "fantastic career".

You will probably have to take advice from someone with specialist knowledge if "reporting for work whilst unfit" is an offence where you work.

'Low'-strength oramorph (morphine) is not a controlled drug.

Flugelhorn

Gingernutty wrote: »

This painkiller?

If it was opiate based (eg. morphine, dihydrocodeine), it was a controlled drug.

You and your colleague have not only committed an offence under the Medicines Act of 1968 (that's any prescription drug), but also the Controlled Drugs Act of 1971.

Dismissal is harsh, but you and your colleague broke the law and this may have a bearing on your "fantastic career".

You will probably have to take advice from someone with specialist knowledge if "reporting for work whilst unfit" is an offence where you work.

It isn't controlled if the strength of the oramorph is below 13mg/5mls (sorry someone already posted this)

tomtontom

The OP is correct, oramorph 10mg is not a controlled drug, but it is generally treated as one under best practice guidelines in terms of storage etc. This may not be the most important issue though, it does appear that you presented for work when you knew you were not fit to be there.

Do you have a statement detailing the reasons for dismissal? I would be interested how they have presented this information.

chloe15

Please be assured I have researched thoroughly and it isn't a controlled drug, when I collect it I do not have to sign for it as I do my tramadol

Undervalued

It seems to me the company are taking an exceptionally firm line, for whatever reason, but that doesn't necessarily mean they are behaving unlawfully.

Unless you had a current prescription then, technically, you were not prescribed the drug. The fact that you were in the past doesn't mean the doctor would prescribe it again.

As I understand it, this is a type of Morphine so surely that is a controlled drug? But even if not, then it is still a prescription only drug so still illegal to supply or improperly obtain.

I think that means that, technically, your colleague broke the law by giving it to you.

Also, you were therefore at work having taken a controlled (or at least prescription only) drug without medical authorisation. Had there been a accident that could affect the firms insurance position. Had you driven and had an accident the same would apply and you could easily be prosecuted.

Don't misunderstand me, if the circumstances are exactly as you describe then I can well understand why you are upset and feel you have done little or nothing wrong. However, technically you were wrong, as was your colleague, and it seems the firm had decided to pounce on this.

Not easy I'm afraid.

lavandergirl_2

Oramorph is morphine and classified as a Schedule II narcotic with potential for opiod addiction, abuse or misuse.

corbyboy

Guys, whether this drug is "recommended" to be treated as a controlled drug or if it is "best practice" is irrelevant. The fact is that at that dose it is not a controlled drug.

At the minute everybody is just speculating. Can you give us the specific reason for the dismissal?

Also, I am confused at the actions of the other colleague. Are you saying that he offered you a bottle of strong pain killers and then ran off to tell you boss that you were taking drugs at work? Why would they do that?

maninthestreet

lavandergirl wrote: »

Oramorph is morphine and classified as a Schedule II narcotic with potential for opiod addiction, abuse or misuse.

....but Oramorph oral solution 10mg/5ml is not a controlled drug

lavandergirl_2

The problem is not the "controlled drug" but rather turning up to work having taken a morphine based medication that can alter someone's perception and have taken it without a valid precription.