Dismissed for sharing a prescription

stevemLS

Another_not_new_user wrote: »

Equally, there has been a long standing campaign to make cannabis legal for medical use, and there is a body of evidence to support such a use. But it hasn't happened in the UK yet, so it remains illegal to use it even for medical purposes.

Just for the sake of accuracy, Sativex, a preparation of cannabis for inhaling, is licensed for the treatment of MS.

Another_not_new_user

Undervalued wrote: »

Why?

A disability requires only a "reasonable adjustment" not a licence to act unlawfully!

Agreed.


And there is no evidence that this is a disability either. A slipped disc or two would not necessarily qualify under the law. There are lots of conditions where they may or may not be a disability in law, depending on the severity of the condition on a daily basis. Arthritis, for example - which can be diagnosed but have absolutely no, or very little impact on the ability to function normally on a daily basis. Or it may be so severe that someone is unable to function normally even with high levels of medication.


But the "reasonable adjustment", or in fact the reasonable action, if one is in so much pain, is to go home and to seek urgent medical advice.

Another_not_new_user

stevemLS wrote: »

Just for the sake of accuracy, Sativex, a preparation of cannabis for inhaling, is licensed for the treatment of MS.

I stand corrected on that aspect. Thank you. But the point is made - drugs are neutral. It is the purpose to which we put them and the circumstances in which we abide by the law, or not, that defines wrongdoing or not.

NewShadow

Another_not_new_user wrote: »

A slipped disc or two would not necessarily qualify under the law.

Not disagreeing, but back pain and disability are tricky ones.

I have had this [medication] before and had an appointment booked at the doctors 2 hours later where my doc had said he would prescribe this same drug to me.

Would suggest this is an ongoing issue.

If the Dr suggests it may take 12 months or longer to fully heal (long recuperation being common with back pan due to the nature and amount of stresses on the spine), it could well count as a disability - it definitely seems to have the negative effect on everyday activities box ticked.

But agree it doesn't really relate to the matter at hand - the handing over of medication/ use of medication without a current scrip.

System

stevemLS wrote: »

Let's put an end to the CD/non CD element of this.

I have looked it up in the BNF (British National Formulary - the UK medicines "bible"), at 10mg/5ml oramorph is a Prescription Only Medicine, not a controlled drug. At higher strengths it is a CD.

It is a Schedule 5 CD. No controls more than a normal prescription. HOWEVER this means that it falls with the the Misuse of Drugs Act

Have a look at BNF Section 4.7 from the GEH hospital trust
and Medication Procedures for Adults and Older People from Sunderland City Council (via Google link)

Torry_Quine

Lioness_Twinkletoes wrote: »

I totally disagree. If (and there does seem to be some confusion as to whether it is or not) it's not a controlled drug it would be akin to my asking a colleague for a paracetamol or Ibuprofen. If it though, that is a different ball game. Would be useful to know what the OP profession is. That is bound to have some bearing on it.

It's nothing like giving someone a paracetamol. Whether it's a CD is not the issue, it's prescription only and why a whole bottle?

paddyrg

The medicine hadn't been prescribed to the OP. The medicine is an opiate, massively different from a 'couple of paracetamol'. We don't know the industry the OP works in - perhaps she's an airline pilot in which case taking opiates is strictly forbidden, or there are other specific reasons why taking non-prescribed opiates at work is a bad idea.

cazziebo

I used to work with a large energy provider who had a "zero tolerance" of drugs policy. If anyone was to fail a random test, or found using any banned drugs (and banned wasn't just illegal. Employees on anything stronger than OTC medicines had to inform occupational health)

This was a policy that always applied to employees who had to operate machinery or operate at height. About 10 years ago it was extended to cover all employees - including call centre staff.

The OP might be working in such a company, and by telling someone he'd taken the drug, would have contravened the company's policy.

FBaby

I think you got it absolutely right. They probably have enough of your sickness level, same with the other guy, and you handed them an easy reason to get rid of you. It sounds like the issue is not just the drugs, but concerns that you are not performing your job properly and thinking that the drug is affecting your performance.

I don't think I have read it, but how did they find out? Surely it is not the guy who helped you as clearly he was implicated to, so did either of you told anyone?

Murphybear

I was given Oramorph after my knee replacement. It made me so dopy there is no way I could have worked.