Enhancing Workplace Productivity and Well-being through Over-the-Counter Medicine

Maintaining a productive and efficient work environment is essential for businesses in today's competitive landscape. Employee health plays a pivotal role in achieving this goal, and minor ailments such as a headache or upset stomach can impact productivity. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), about 7.8 million workers missed work in January 2022 because they had an illness, injury, or medical problem or appointment.¹ The American Productivity Audit estimated the presenteeism cost of pain in the US at more than $60 billion, while an Institute for Health and Productivity Management (IHPM) survey of 35 large employers found that musculoskeletal pain was the number two reason for presenteeism in the workplace — and number one reason for absence from work, making it the leading overall reason for lost productivity in the workplace.²

Over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, readily available without a prescription, offer a range of solutions for managing common health issues that can affect job performance. The public generally believes OTC medicines to be helpful for treating minor ailments such as headaches.³ There are several advantages of integrating responsible OTC medicine use into the workplace to enhance employee well-being and productivity.

OTC medicines provide quick relief from common health issues such as headaches, allergies, and minor pain, allowing employees to continue their tasks with minimal disruption.

Benefits of OTC medicine usage at work

Supplying OTC medications to employees can increase employee well-being and morale. The World Health Organization acknowledges self-medication as central to self-care as it provides quick, safe and effective relief from symptoms of prevalent self-treatable chronic conditions that impact the wellness, quality of life and job performance of millions of workers.²

Offering OTC medications also makes sense from a business perspective as they can reduce lost productivity when an employee leaves work because of a headache, stomach cramp, cold symptom or other common ailment. The Center for Workforce Health and Performance analyzed data on absenteeism, presenteeism and lost productivity costs associated with 26 chronic conditions in the U.S.² Twelve of these conditions have a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved non-prescription drug available for treatment; self-treatment rates for those 12 conditions ranged from 15 to 39%, and their net lost productivity costs ranged from $3.4 billion to $44.9 billion.²

Key benefits of offering OTC medicine include

• Rapid Symptom Relief: OTC medicines provide quick relief from common health issues such as headaches, allergies, and minor pain, allowing employees to continue their tasks with minimal disruption.
• Increased Productivity: By addressing health concerns promptly, employees can maintain focus and productivity, reducing the impact of ailments on work output. A recent survey found that 32% of employed Americans were able to maintain their level of productivity after taking an OTC medicine at work.⁴ Approximately two in five employed Americans (42%) have successfully completed a workday by using OTC medications while at work.
• Employee Well-being: Providing access to OTC medicines demonstrates an employer's commitment to the health and well-being of their workforce, fostering a positive work culture.
• Cost-Effectiveness: OTC medicines are generally more affordable than prescription drugs, reducing healthcare-related costs for both employees and employers.
  

Considerations for implementing OTC medicine usage

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) does not have a standard for OTC medication. However, according to OSHA, treating an employee with non- prescription drugs does not by itself need to be recorded in OSHA-mandated logs, since non-prescription drugs are exempted from the requirement and their use is considered to be first aid.⁵ OSHA also refers to the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Z308.1 standard for first aid kits as guidance only. According to the ANSI/ISEA Z308.1-2021 Appendix C.3 standard, having OTC medications appropriate for workplace use as part of a first aid program may provide benefits such as decreased worker loss time, increased employee productive and overall workplace safety.⁶

Examples of OTC medications include pain relievers such as aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen, as well as pain-relief patches, cough drops, cold, sinus and allergy medicine, and anti-diarrheal medication. Assess whether including these medications in your first-aid kit makes sense for your facility. If so, consider taking the following steps:

• Educate your team: Provide information to employees regarding the appropriate use of OTC medicines, potential interactions with other medications, and recommended dosages.
• Offer a wellness program: Integrate OTC medicines into workplace wellness initiatives, encouraging employees to prioritize self-care and health management. A recent Harris Poll survey revealed that roughly two in five employed Americans whose employer doesn’t offer OTC medicine (45%) say if their employer did offer medicine at work, they would take it if needed.³
• Make OTC medications accessible: If you include OTC medications in your first-aid kits, they should be packaged in single-dose, tamper-evident packaging and labeled as required under FDA regulations. Ensure easy access to a range of common OTC medicines in the workplace, possibly through designated first aid kits or wellness areas.
  

Potential challenges and mitigation

When allowing OTC medication usage in the workplace, there are several factors to consider for effective program implementation. Other key considerations include:

• Allergic Reactions: Employers should emphasize the importance of checking for allergies before using OTC medicine.
• Responsible Usage: Employees should be educated about the importance of using OTC medicines as directed and not exceeding recommended dosages.
• Privacy Concerns: Implement measures to protect employees' privacy when accessing OTC medicines, particularly for sensitive health issues.
  
  
  

Promoting a healthy work environment

According to the Center for Workforce Health and Performance, with proper education and guidance, employees might be steered toward FDA-approved OTC treatments that offer symptom relief and would result in a higher level of attendance and performance at work, reduced lost productivity and improved business results.⁷ Promoting a healthy work environment through the use of OTC medication involves creating a comprehensive program that prioritizes employee well-being and productivity.

Recommendations to effectively promote a healthy work environment using OTC medication include:

• Collaborate with Healthcare Professionals: Seek guidance from healthcare experts to curate a list of approved OTC medicines and educate employees about their proper use.
• Customize your program: Tailor the selection of OTC medicines based on the specific health concerns prevalent in the workplace.
• Ask for feedback: Regularly gather feedback from employees about the effectiveness of the program and potential areas for improvement.
  

OTC medication guidelines

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) does not have a standard for OTC medication. Instead, OSHA refers to the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Z308.1 standard for first aid kits as guidance only.⁸ Attorney Christina Kamelhair, of counsel with Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart P.C. in Indianapolis, said offering pre- packaged, single dose OTC medication in company first aid kits should not expose employers to any liability.

“OTC medications are commonplace, and most people know how to use them,” Kamelhair said. “Including them as part of a first aid kit should not create any liability issues for employers or individuals.”

If you include OTC medications in your first-aid kits, ANSI/ISEA Z308.1-2021 Appendix C.3 states they should be packaged in the proper doses, tamper-evident packaging and labeled as required under FDA regulations so the employee can make a proper decision about the product they are selecting.4 A trusted provider will stock first aid cabinets with only approved OTC medications. According to the FDA definition of OTC medications, these are safe and effective when the directions on the label are followed.⁷

Fostering a healthy environment

Offering OTC medicine in the workplace can contribute to enhancing employee well-being, productivity, and overall job satisfaction. By providing accessible solutions for managing common health issues, employers demonstrate their commitment to creating a supportive and healthy work environment.

As with any health-related initiative, responsible implementation and ongoing evaluation are essential. By considering the benefits, challenges, and recommendations of offering OTC medicine, businesses can empower their employees to maintain optimal health and performance.

1. https://www.bls.gov/opub/ted/2022/7-8-million-workers-had-an-illness-related-work-absence-in-january-2022.htm
2. https://ihpm.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Self_Care_2018.pdf
3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10037583/
4. Cintas. Harris Poll. OTC Medications at Work. 17-21 August 2023.
5. https://news.bloomberglaw.com/safety/opioid-overdose-drugs-unite-groups-over-workplace-first-aid-kits
6. ANSI/ISEA Z308.1-2021
7. https://www.tcwhp.org/sites/default/files/reports/CWHP%20Report%20August%202016_Consumerism_Self-        Care%20Trends_Broader%20Value%20of%20Employee%20Health.pdf
8. https://blog.ansi.org/workplace-first-aid-kits-ansi-isea-z308-2021/#gref