'Period Fairy' supplying painkillers at work

[NorthernFlowerHouse]

Hi all,

Not really an AIBU but I wasn't really sure where to post and I know this is the busiest!

In my work ladies' loo, some period supplies have been left out with a note from 'The Period Fairy' saying to help yourself if needed. I think it's part of a campaign against period poverty which is a great cause and includes boxes of paracetamol.

I'm just a bit concerned whether there might be any legality issues with supplying over the counter painkillers like this- I know that work first aid kits shouldn't contain them in case of allergies but didn't know if this extended to help- yourself supplies.

Does anyone have any ideas?

I just know how kind the lady is who has started this and would hate for her to open herself up to any trouble over a really nice initiative. It's an office environment with no children if that makes a difference. I can't find much online about it and she's off this week.

Thanks!

At my work we keep some pads in a spare drawer in the office and we ask a colleague if we need a painkiller. We’re not on a high street and can’t easily nip out for some Paracetamol.

I suppose the point about vending machines (I've never seen painkillers but will take your word for it) is that they're sealed away and packaged with instructions but I'd say principally, supplied not by the venue per se but the vending company who have a contact to maintain the machines.

WrinkleFairy I'm no pharmacist but a quick glance at the BNF website shows a whole host of potential interactions, not to mention allergies that can exist.

Northern plus with vending decisions the consumer is making a decision to purchase and self-administer the medication. They have complete control.

I'm slightly concerned by the number of people saying that you should know by adulthood if you have an allergy to painkillers. Please actually read the packet next time you take anything, particularly Ibruprofen. You are able to have a reaction to anything out of the blue, and my mother (at 50+) would have died from Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis after taking it with Flu had a doctor not recognized it in ITU. She had never had any reaction previously. All drugs can have side effects and the responsibility lies with the person taking it to actually be aware of any potential symptoms of a once in a lifetime reaction that can kill you.

What a rather mad idea! 'Period Fairy'?Is there also a 'Condom Fairy'?

Never heard of anything like it in me life. They really would be better off donating these items to a women's refuge charity, where women REALLY cannot afford basic items.

So bloody true !

Ollivander ha! Keeping yourself prepared as well is a very good reason.

Sorry I’ve committed the sin of not RTFT, but just wanted to say not to leave out painkillers. Not because of allergies, but the risk of OD. OK so it’s a workplace and adults can easily go to buy them, but having them just there without having to think could be an issue. And how bad would the lady feel wondering if it was their tablets or not that a colleague took.

where I work you can buy paracetamol for 1p rather than givin them away.They say this is because then the person is self-administerin drugs.

NorthernFlowerHouse You are very wise and the lady is very kind. Can you very tactfully tell her that it's extremely thoughtful of her but the health and safety rules about leaving paracetamol openly available have said it could cause a risk? Is it possible to put a note there saying "If you need help with pain ask ........."

hlr1987 That is extremely sensible advice! Allergies can start at any age! My late husband developed hay fever in his 40s! Someone said it's as if you have a jar in you which is filling up each time you get in touch with the allergen. Eventually the jar gets full then after that the allergen makes you ill.
So there is NO WAY people can know what allergies they may have by the time they are adults.
Well said hlr1987

"Engage rational, logical thought for a minute instead of tying yourself up in healthy and safety knots. Employers CAN and DO supply UNLIMITED free drugs all the time. It's called booze at the Christmas party. Are they liable if some idiot drinks too much? Of course not.

"It IS NOT the job of adults to police other adults in THE WORKPLACE."^

Interestingly, @Growbagsforever, there is a story in the paper today about a company having to pay compensation to an employee who suffered brain damage following a punch to the head from the company director at a boozy company 'do' - so in some cases companies can and are held accountable for the behaviour of their employees, even outside the workplace, at a company function.

I'm not saying that it is wrong to say that adults should be capable of behaving responsibly, or that it is necessarily good for everything to become a matter for compensation and the courts, but it can and does happen, and unfortunately, in today's litigious society, companies and individuals have to act and think defensively.

It's true about allergies popping up in later life, I've only in recent years started experiencing a mild nut allergy. Thankfully nothing like as serious as some of the pp's relatives but I certainly wasn't expecting it to happen when it first did.

Thanks Ellyess I think that's what I'll do when shes back on Monday, make it really clear I don't want to pour scorn on her initiative but raise it about the meds being left there. She's pretty sensible so I think will hopefully just remove them.

I get that the likelihood of something bad happening as a result of these tablets being there is minimal, I just don't think it's worth it. If anyone is really in pain with no meds, there's a Sainsbury's just over the road.