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Getting prescription delivered to workplace - OK or bad practice?

82 replies

SidhuVicious · 30/11/2024 02:47

So, I recently restarted on the ADHD meds I took as a teen. Went via the RTC pathway and they're now prescribed by ADHD 360 with the idea that my GP will take over shared care once stabilised.

The issue is that they send the meds in the post to arrive the day before I need them and I'm never home to sign for them. My elderly neighbour agreed to help but missed the first two days claiming they didn't attempt (assuming she didn't hear the door) and the third time she was out, so that isn't really working.

I decided I'd just collect them from the post office depot in future but after failed delivery to my address on a Monday I wasn't able to get to the post office until the Saturday and went three days without my medication which caused severe withdrawal symptoms.

One of the managers suggested I get them delivered to work and this has been fine the past two months. However, today I got a call from a colleague whilst on a day's annual leave telling me that the other manager was furious and that I needed to go in immediately and collect them - had to leave my friend's house and do a two hour round trip in the traffic to collect them.

Manager was saying that I could've got them all in big trouble as the person that signed for them left them in the management office and big boss could've found them. Apparently he was saying to my colleague that the package 'looked suspicious' and said something about it probably being some dodgy steroids for my partner which I didn't want delivered to my house (he knows my partner is a big guy who competes in powerlifting, although he doesn't use anything of the sort). I'm guessing somebody must've mentioned it was medication.

I spoke to the manager in question and explained it was my medication and that the other manager had said it was fine and he immediately said I shouldn't be implicating other people and that his wife works for the NHS and he knows that prescriptions are not usually posted and signed for. I offered to open the box to show him the meds and also an email on my phone with my prescription.

He said I could absolutely not open it in front of the plant cameras as that would put him in the situation that he'd have to report it due to visual evidence implicating him and to just take it and leave site immediately. Wouldn't let me get a word in.

I'm a little staggered. The whole situation is fucking bonkers to me. Fair enough, I'd be happy to never order it to work in future but this seems completely disproportionate, especially as everybody is usually pretty chilled here usually and managers regularly do things like let us leave before our hours are up if they know the work is done for the day etc.

Anyway, aside from the odd comments about it being dodgy steroids etc I'm wondering if ordering prescriptions to work is generally a no no. I wasn't expecting it to arrive until Monday so usually would've been there to sign for it myself.

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BigManLittleDignity · 02/12/2024 09:45

SidhuVicious · 30/11/2024 22:37

But yes I ultimately shouldn't be getting it delivered to work in all likelihood. I do think this guy was just being a prick though because he doesn't raise an eyebrow when the hauliers get 25L tubs of hydrochloric acid delivered (which we use to clean concrete off the trucks).

Granted the acid is used for business purposes but strictly speaking it should be dealt with via COSHH guidelines and stored in bunded cages if we're going to be particular about it. To moan about a prescription being delivered but be fine with drivers carrying 25L tubs of acid around in their footwells is a bit odd.

I'll just find another way to get my meds but fuck this guy. I might email an anonymous pic/video to the H&S dept of a tub of acid sitting in the yard and see how he likes it.

That seems really petty. By all means, do raise a safety issue but ordering controlled drugs to work is not acceptable either.

I do have empathy though as I have a delivery company for some meds and it’s not like collecting an NHS prescription. They’re also a nightmare to make contact with, deliver whenever they fancy without warning and sometimes don’t even turn up!

MineMineMineMineMine · 01/12/2024 14:17

SidhuVicious · 30/11/2024 22:17

Didn't I already explain this earlier?

I don't order it. It's sent to me by ADHD 360 who I'm being treated by through the Right to Choose pathway. I did actually ask if they could send it a week earlier one time so I've always got time to collect it, like I do with my NHS prescriptions, but they said no.

I think it's exactly because it's not like a normal prescription that people say it shouldn't be delivered to work!!!

It is a controlled drug.

Adhd360 will deliver it to a nominated pharmacy. We will be doing this too hopefully after assessment/diagnosis!

PixieLaLar · 30/11/2024 22:43

That is so inappropriate having a controlled drug delivered to your place of work for personal use. I can’t believe how you would ever think that’s ok?!

SidhuVicious · 30/11/2024 22:37

But yes I ultimately shouldn't be getting it delivered to work in all likelihood. I do think this guy was just being a prick though because he doesn't raise an eyebrow when the hauliers get 25L tubs of hydrochloric acid delivered (which we use to clean concrete off the trucks).

Granted the acid is used for business purposes but strictly speaking it should be dealt with via COSHH guidelines and stored in bunded cages if we're going to be particular about it. To moan about a prescription being delivered but be fine with drivers carrying 25L tubs of acid around in their footwells is a bit odd.

I'll just find another way to get my meds but fuck this guy. I might email an anonymous pic/video to the H&S dept of a tub of acid sitting in the yard and see how he likes it.

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SidhuVicious · 30/11/2024 22:24

I think I'm just going to have to speak to them. People don't seem to be getting the point that this isn't a regular NHS prescription that I order and collect at my convenience. It is sent automatically by ADHD 360 and arrives the day before I run out.

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SidhuVicious · 30/11/2024 22:17

Sirzy · 30/11/2024 20:08

A big part of this is on you. Why leave it to only a couple of days meds left when you know you can’t collect the prescription. You need to order far enough in advance it’s not an issue

Didn't I already explain this earlier?

I don't order it. It's sent to me by ADHD 360 who I'm being treated by through the Right to Choose pathway. I did actually ask if they could send it a week earlier one time so I've always got time to collect it, like I do with my NHS prescriptions, but they said no.

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Sirzy · 30/11/2024 20:08

A big part of this is on you. Why leave it to only a couple of days meds left when you know you can’t collect the prescription. You need to order far enough in advance it’s not an issue

SidhuVicious · 30/11/2024 19:25

starfishmummy · 30/11/2024 18:21

Getting regular prescriptions when you work full time - even with long hours - is something that many people, millions even, manage to do without relying on them being sent to a workplace. Most areas will have at least one pharmacy that stays open late and the are are weekends too.

I appreciate this. But when it fails delivery on a mon/tue and I have just one day's medication left it's a problem if I can't get to post depot for another four days. I may have to see if they can issue a script to my local pharmacy. Even that could be an issue though because they regularly forget to order my other scripts which thankfully aren't as important.

Last time I went to the depot they claimed it must still be with the driver and I only got it because the lady took pity on me and searched for 25 mins after they had officially closed - it was sitting in a pile and hadn't been scanned back in. This was on a Saturday and I was due to go away for a fortnight 6am Monday so was quite the stress.

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SidhuVicious · 30/11/2024 19:19

Although I wouldn't want to rock the boat on that as we're a contractor.

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SidhuVicious · 30/11/2024 19:18

Soontobe60 · 30/11/2024 18:36

Don’t be silly 😂 The OP doesn’t work 24/7, there is plenty of time when she’s not working to collect her meds without having to involve her employer.

Tbf the guy that has heart issues at the site I work at (he works for end client) is given time off to go and get his medication. I don't work 24/7 but I have no chance of getting to most pharmacies Mon-Fri unless we're talking late night ones that are open till 7-8pm.

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SidhuVicious · 30/11/2024 19:16

JC03745 · 30/11/2024 17:54

As I said in my original post up thread, have you asked your specialist IF they can write a script which is delivered to a pharmacy of your choice, for THEM to fill the script, rather than whatever outside supplier is currently delivering them?

I never suggested the current supplier just delivering them to a random pharmacy somewhere and asking them to sign for them!!!

I can't see this happening tbh as ADHD 360 are partnered with Chemist4U. I'd have to call up and speak to their help desk where it'd just be a call handler. But maybe there's still a service where I can get it delivered to.

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Starlightstarbright4 · 30/11/2024 18:56

my Ds is on Similar meds . He was under camhs during Covid
At the time i had to drive to camhs once a month to next town to collect prescription as it couldn’t go in the post .

He now has shared care with Gp and camhs but Gp just sent prescription over electronically .

There are lots of rules regarding CD’s that people aren’t aware of . They can’t be just kept under the counter at work .

The pharmacist has to keep them in a locked safe .

Soontobe60 · 30/11/2024 18:36

Irridescantshimmmer · 30/11/2024 11:10

Its medication OP which you have been prescribed for a condition which is a protected characteristic of the Equality Act 2010.

You can not collect your meds because you are at work so you get yourself in a union who will come down these losers like a tonne of bricks.

You are right not to rely on royal mail, I had to wait for blood glucose sensors which the post man refused to deliver which left me with no way of monitoring my blood glucose for 3 days, so RM are not a reliable option either.

Don't delay, get into a union asap as they can and will help you with this.

Don’t be silly 😂 The OP doesn’t work 24/7, there is plenty of time when she’s not working to collect her meds without having to involve her employer.

NameChangeForThisThread4 · 30/11/2024 18:21

I assume if you are seen under the RTC at ADHD360 this may apply?

'For patients under our care as part of an NHS referral, and where we have a local agreement with your NHS commissioner, we may be able to issue an electronic NHS prescription which will be sent digitally to your preferred community pharmacy.'

starfishmummy · 30/11/2024 18:21

SidhuVicious · 30/11/2024 12:47

It'd have to be open late. My core hours are 7-5 with 45-60 mins drive home. However, as is the case with the trucking/construction sector, it can easily become 7-7 on any given day. Atm I'm working on HS2 and finishing around 6pm most days.

By the time I get out of all my PPE, do my daily report etc, and into the car it's often closer to 18:30. Drive will usually take closer to 30 mins at that time but the M5/M6 can always be busy. I may speak to the pharmacy that get my NHS prescription as they're open till 18:30. I might be able to get there on the odd day, hopefully at least one in three.

Getting regular prescriptions when you work full time - even with long hours - is something that many people, millions even, manage to do without relying on them being sent to a workplace. Most areas will have at least one pharmacy that stays open late and the are are weekends too.

HundredMilesAnHour · 30/11/2024 18:18

SidhuVicious · 30/11/2024 17:07

Why would you think that? 50hr weeks are pretty common outside of office work, especially in construction. Truck drivers are pushing 60 hours easily.

50+ hours are common in office work too.

No personal deliveries allowed where I work, let alone controlled drugs! You really shouldn't be having meds delivered to work.

I get my Concerta (when there's not a bloody shortage!!) dispensed from a branch of Boots in a mainline station so it's open 7am - 9pm as well as weekends.

Greyrocked · 30/11/2024 17:57

In my workplace, this would be an absolute non issue. But I guess this manager thinks there’s an issue. Why not ask him what the issue is? I don’t think it’s obvious or a given that this is a problem. So I think it’s fine to just ask what he is concerned about.

JC03745 · 30/11/2024 17:54

SidhuVicious · 30/11/2024 17:45

Well, if they will deliver it to a pharmacy then I probably can. Hence my question above about whether pharmacies will generally take delivery of prescriptions they haven't ordered. Can the courier just walk up to the counter in the supermarket pharmacy and ask the cashier to sign for a package?

As I said in my original post up thread, have you asked your specialist IF they can write a script which is delivered to a pharmacy of your choice, for THEM to fill the script, rather than whatever outside supplier is currently delivering them?

I never suggested the current supplier just delivering them to a random pharmacy somewhere and asking them to sign for them!!!

Hercules12 · 30/11/2024 17:51

Op- my pharmacy have nothing to do with my medication as it’s prescribed by hospital and delivered by Sciensus who are nothing to do with my pharmacy. They just put it at the back for me and I pick it up.

SidhuVicious · 30/11/2024 17:47

DataPup · 30/11/2024 17:24

It was specifically on a restricted list you had to declare where I worked (engineering firm working on HS2). Colleague had to declare even though we just sat in an office.

I've only been told I need to declare medications that affect my driving/ability to operate machinery.

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SidhuVicious · 30/11/2024 17:45

JC03745 · 30/11/2024 17:35

My point still stands though! IF you can get the script sent to a pharmacy, why can't you collect it on a day you aren't working?

Well, if they will deliver it to a pharmacy then I probably can. Hence my question above about whether pharmacies will generally take delivery of prescriptions they haven't ordered. Can the courier just walk up to the counter in the supermarket pharmacy and ask the cashier to sign for a package?

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JC03745 · 30/11/2024 17:35

SidhuVicious · 30/11/2024 17:07

Why would you think that? 50hr weeks are pretty common outside of office work, especially in construction. Truck drivers are pushing 60 hours easily.

My point still stands though! IF you can get the script sent to a pharmacy, why can't you collect it on a day you aren't working?

DataPup · 30/11/2024 17:24

It was specifically on a restricted list you had to declare where I worked (engineering firm working on HS2). Colleague had to declare even though we just sat in an office.

SidhuVicious · 30/11/2024 17:19

DataPup · 30/11/2024 17:14

Have you not already declared you're taking concerta to your employer? When I worked on HS2 anything that would show up on a drugs test had to be declared

Standard screening doesn't test for methylphenidate. It's not an amphetamine so doesn't show up as that contrary to what a lot of people seem to believe. It's a stimulant.

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SidhuVicious · 30/11/2024 17:15

fiftiesmum · 30/11/2024 17:12

Pretty standard hours for junior doctors although they are around on weekdays.
Good to hear something is still happening at HS2 I thought it would be grinding to a halt

It's going hell for leather all over the Midlands atm.

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