practicing pharmacist, failing a drug test

[pwnttothemax]

I'm doing a project on drug testing in the workplace. One question I expect to pop up during the presentation is regarding what happens if a practicing pharmacist fails a drug test. I assume you're fired; or maybe you just get counseling? Do you lose your license?

I'd like to reiterate that this question isn't a personal problem that I'm trying to disguise as a professional query lol.

Thanks all!

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[spacecowgirl]

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[owlegrad]

Check out Health Professionals Service Programs.

Yup, this is what happens in FL and probably just about everywhere else as well. Your license is suspended by the board until they deem you rehabilitated (the program reports to the board your rehabilitation status). Once that happens the board reinstates your license. Other factor are considered as well I am sure, like severity of offense probably. But this is how I have seen it done anyway.

IMO it is a good balance of protecting public health without being overly punitive to the health professional. The focus really is on getting the pharmacist the help they need, at least the cases I saw. The HPSP programs are expensive though and the burden of of course on the person in the program.

 

[bullsfan1986]

Yup, this is what happens in FL and probably just about everywhere else as well. Your license is suspended by the board until they deem you rehabilitated (the program reports to the board your rehabilitation status). Once that happens the board reinstates your license. Other factor are considered as well I am sure, like severity of offense probably. But this is how I have seen it done anyway.

IMO it is a good balance of protecting public health without being overly punitive to the health professional. The focus really is on getting the pharmacist the help they need, at least the cases I saw. The HPSP programs are expensive though and the burden of of course on the person in the program.

Also out of curiosity...Is the suspension dependent on the drug you tested positive for or is it a universal suspension? For example, what if you go to an Alicia Keyes concert and some really hot girl gives you what she claims is a "clove cigarette?"

 

[PharmaTope]

I'm doing a project on drug testing in the workplace. One question I expect to pop up during the presentation is regarding what happens if a practicing pharmacist fails a drug test. I assume you're fired; or maybe you just get counseling? Do you lose your license?

I'd like to reiterate that this question isn't a personal problem that I'm trying to disguise as a professional query lol.

Thanks all!

technically they cannot fire you if you tell them you have a drug problem. federal laws look at "drug and alcohol addiction" as a disability. therefore if you are terminated for "being an addict" then it is illegal fyi

 

[Dr Wario]

technically they cannot fire you if you tell them you have a drug problem. federal laws look at "drug and alcohol addiction" as a disability. therefore if you are terminated for "being an addict" then it is illegal fyi

As a pharmacist, an addiction like that could jeopardize public safety and your employer would have every right to fire you, if the state board does not do it themselves.

 

[owlegrad]

Also out of curiosity...Is the suspension dependent on the drug you tested positive for or is it a universal suspension? For example, what if you go to an Alicia Keyes concert and some really hot girl gives you what she claims is a "clove cigarette?"

Good question. Every case I saw personally dealt with alcohol abuse (basically coming in drunk), but the counselors from the health professionals rehab place told us students they get every kind of addict. I have no idea basically.

My guess is the board has a wide latitude when deciding the severity of the offense and the appropriate response.

 

[bananaface]

It varies by state, as do the availability of rehab and decent PRN programs.

http://www.usaprn.org/ Gives you an idea of what is available in each state for support services for recovering pharmacists. You would have to find out from each individual board or their website what their standard operating procedure is for impaired pharmacists and technicians and whether reporting is mandatory.

If theft is involved, action can vary by company. Addiction or not, theft is a basis for being fired or having your license revoked or suspended. Some companies are very gung-ho about prosecuting theft and others would rather fire people and not deal with legal expenses and hassle.

In Ohio, it looks like it is mandatory to report an impaired pharmacist. They can have their license revoked or suspended, be fined, etc. There also seem to be some rehabilitation options available at the board's discretion. At a minimum it looks like their license would be suspended until they completed rehabilitation.

http://codes.ohio.gov/oac/4757-5-10
http://codes.ohio.gov/oac/4729-6-01
http://codes.ohio.gov/orc/4729.16
http://codes.ohio.gov/orc/4729.18

 

[owlegrad]

technically they cannot fire you if you tell them you have a drug problem. federal laws look at "drug and alcohol addiction" as a disability. therefore if you are terminated for "being an addict" then it is illegal fyi

Source? Which federal laws exactly?

Companies do drug tests for a reason. So I can fail any drug test I ever take as long as I admit I am an addict? This post is incorrect.

 

[Ackj]

Also out of curiosity...Is the suspension dependent on the drug you tested positive for or is it a universal suspension? For example, what if you go to an Alicia Keyes concert and some really hot girl gives you what she claims is a "clove cigarette?"

I think it might be different than what the others are talking about, since this really isn't an "addiction." It's also probably different since it's not abusing RX items, which we always have at our disposal (although I'm not sure the law makes such a distinction).

 

[TheRxQueen]

technically they cannot fire you if you tell them you have a drug problem. federal laws look at "drug and alcohol addiction" as a disability. therefore if you are terminated for "being an addict" then it is illegal fyi

The disability piece only applies to those who are in recovery, meaning they are NOT currently abusing drugs or alcohol. Therefore, you are not in recovery if you are still using, so there is no federal law prohibiting them from terminating your impaired a** if it is affecting your job.

 

[Jabberwocky12]

Source? Which federal laws exactly?

Companies do drug tests for a reason. So I can fail any drug test I ever take as long as I admit I am an addict? This post is incorrect.

The way I was told it worked by a few pharmacists was that you have to say that you have a problem for the protection. This works in that you admit you have a problem on your own terms; if you are caught with your hand in the cookie jar and you say "oh my bad, I have a problem and need help, put me in therapy" then it's not the same thing.

It's sorta like high school where if a child goes to a counselor and says he has an addiction issue then they will help him, but if the child is caught smokine/drinking/shooting up then he gets suspended/expelled.

And from what I hear, depending on the state it takes years to get through the therapy including self-paid randomized drug tests and then future employers will know about it as well.