Medications

I have had my CDL's since April of 2015. I have been with the company I am currently employed by since April of 2019.

I have 3 rare diseases. One that I was diagnosed with prior to me working for my current company, two that I have been diagnosed with since working for my current company.

My company has been very wonderful and understanding about all of my doctors appointments and everything else that goes along with having three rare diseases.

I have been open about everything and have communicated with them to the best of my ability about all appointments, procedures, medications, what not.

I renewed my medical card at the beginning of March and received a call from a doctor my company has hired to review our medical cards stating that I can not drive for my company if I continue to take a medication that I have been on since 2015.

The medication is robaxin (methocarbamol). It is not on the DoT disqualified medication list, it isn't even on the list of medications that need approval from a doctor to obtain a medical card.

I have been instructed, by this doctor, to stop taking the medication and get documentation from the prescribing physician that states that they will no longer prescribe me this medication and they certify that I have stopped taking it. They also want pharmacy records from the previous five years.

Something just seems very illegal about all of this but I cannot find anything that says whether or not they are allowed to do this.

I have spoken to someone in our corporate office and they say that they are allowed to chose which medications they will allow a driver to operate a vehicle while taking but I have also spoken to a lawyer that says that this is illegal in most industries but he is not familiar with the laws in the trucking world.

There is nothing in our company handbook that shows what medications we are allowed and not allowed to take and when I asked corporate for a list of medications that we could not use (other than the ones covered by the DoT) I was told that there was not a list that it was left up to the company's medical officials discretion.

The company medical officials reasoning for me not being able to take it is because they cannot prove I'm not using it while operating a truck
He didn't like my reply about you can't prove that I'm not driving drunk either but I'm a responsible adult and you trust me to make smart decisions.

Anyone have any clue what my options are here?
Is my company in the wrong or do I need to start searching for a new job?

ETA: this doctor is not the same doctor that issued my medical card but the doctor that issued my medical card is a doctor that was chosen by my company, that they sent me to. Not one of my choosing.

 

No, they are provided by the VA.

I understand what you're saying but

1) They hired me 5 years ago knowing I was taking it.
2) I've been taking it for 9 years, I have never had any bad side effects from it.
3) I only take it at bed time.

I believe it's like @201 said, I have a feeling insurance is calling the shots.

We have had a handful of drivers that have been getting canned over medications. In my group, which consists of 30 drivers, I'm the 3rd one this calendar year. The other two were also on their medications when hired, the only difference between them and me was that their medications were on the list where you are required to get a note from the prescribing physician that says they believe you can safely operate a truck while taking the medicine.

 

I've got options lined up.

I just happen to really like where I'm at, been here a while and don't feel like starting over somewhere new, but it is what it is.

I haven't officially been let go yet but that was the fate of the other two guys, so I'm sure it's going to be mine too.

I have almost 9 years driving experience and no DoT reportable or at fault accidents. I shouldn't have much trouble getting in a truck with a decent company.

 

Are you able to send me a link or references to that list?

I have read over the section in the FMCSA manual that pertains to disqualifying medications and it is not one listed in 21 CFR 1308.11 (391.42(b)(12)).