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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.

OP posts:
Catza · 30/11/2024 08:11

Of course you shouldn't order medication to come to the office. It can be stolen and misused. Concerta is in the same controlled class as opiates. You wouldn't order tramadol to come to your workplace for the same reasons. Obviously, it's not your fault as you got manager's permission but your manager has no clue. No office risk assessment would allow it.

MissPeaches · 30/11/2024 03:59

If you get severe withdrawal symptoms from Concerta does that mean you never take a day or two off? I've been on and off Concerta and a few other stimulants for over 20 years and they work far far better if you skip a day or two each week, and if possible a few days or more every few months to avoid building up a tolerance and going up in dose. I certainly rely on my meds for busy days and workdays but as long as I don't have that much to do it's not uncomfortable. I had no idea stimulants could cause withdrawals but I know everyone is different. I wonder if a shorter-acting stimulant like Medikinet would work well but be easier to stop and start? I'm sure you have your reasons for taking Concerta but I do think you might eventually struggle if you can't go a few days without it.

Re your main question -- your manager's response was OTT but clearly you can't send it to work again. Can you get a PO Box or someplace that can accept mail on your behalf and you pick it up later, but with better hours than the mail depot?

SidhuVicious · 30/11/2024 03:20

McSpoot · 30/11/2024 03:05

And definitely not delivered while I’m on leave.

As I said, it wouldn't usually have arrived until the Monday. And I'd been told it was OK by another manager. But obv I won't do it going forwards.

OP posts:
McSpoot · 30/11/2024 03:05

SullysBabyMama · 30/11/2024 03:03

I would get a prescription to my work as a one off, having asked before, but not ADHD meds as they are controlled drugs!

And definitely not delivered while I’m on leave.

SidhuVicious · 30/11/2024 03:03

Sirzy · 30/11/2024 03:00

Is it a controlled drug? Many adhd meds are and the fact it needs signing for suggests it probably is.

It's Concerta so yes it probably is.

OP posts:
SullysBabyMama · 30/11/2024 03:03

I would get a prescription to my work as a one off, having asked before, but not ADHD meds as they are controlled drugs!

Sirzy · 30/11/2024 03:00

Is it a controlled drug? Many adhd meds are and the fact it needs signing for suggests it probably is.

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