Drug Testing and ARV's ~ Living with HIV in the Philippines

Drug Testing and ARV's

Posted by Pozziepinoy on 12:23 PM

Today I went to get my Drug Test for my Mayor's Permit for my company. On the way there, I remembered that one pozzie before thought that he might not get his driver's license because he was worried what to put in the form for the medicines that he was taking. He was thinking that the officer-in-charge of the testing might ask him about the medicines that he was taking and what his answer would be. Issues of disclosure came to his mind. He was also afraid that the the result of the drug testing would turn out positive.

Outside the testing area, I called up Ate Beth and she said that the efavirenz has an effect on the result. However, she said that I should call Maram to make sure of it. I called Maram of RITM-ARG and asked her the same question. Maram said that efavirenz has an effect on the screening drug test. She said in the form, just write down that I am taking "slimming coffee". She also said that the confirmatory test will prove that I'm not taking any illegal drugs.

Still hesitant, I called Dr. Ditangco and this is what she said:

"There might be a false positive reaction only to efavirenz in the screening test, but will turn out negative in the confirmatory test."

I asked her if I need to disclose the ARV's. She replied back and said:

"You have to inform the testing center before the procedure that you were advised by your doctor that you might have a false positive reaction to the screening test because of the supplement that you are taking and that a confirmatory test should be done because it will show a negative reaction. You need not disclose your meds if you don't want to."

So that's it. It is another obstacle but it can be faced by knowing what to do. One way or another, we pozzies will be faced with the same dilemma so we should always be prepared with the knowledge on what to do.

The mandatory drug testing is in the Philippine Comprehensive Dangerous Drug Act of 2002:

ARTICLE III

Dangerous Drugs Test and Record Requirements

Section 36. Authorized Drug Testing. – Authorized drug testing shall be done by any government forensic laboratories or by any of the drug testing laboratories accredited and monitored by the DOH to safeguard the quality of test results. The DOH shall take steps in setting the price of the drug test with DOH accredited drug testing centers to further reduce the cost of such drug test. The drug testing shall employ, among others, two (2) testing methods, the screening test which will determine the positive result as well as the type of the drug used and the confirmatory test which will confirm a positive screening test. Drug test certificates issued by accredited drug testing centers shall be valid for a one-year period from the date of issue which may be used for other purposes. The following shall be subjected to undergo drug testing:

(a) Applicants for driver's license. – No driver's license shall be issued or renewed to any person unless he/she presents a certification that he/she has undergone a mandatory drug test and indicating thereon that he/she is free from the use of dangerous drugs;

(b) Applicants for firearm's license and for permit to carry firearms outside of residence. – All applicants for firearm's license and permit to carry firearms outside of residence shall undergo a mandatory drug test to ensure that they are free from the use of dangerous drugs: Provided, That all persons who by the nature of their profession carry firearms shall undergo drug testing;

(c) Students of secondary and tertiary schools. – Students of secondary and tertiary schools shall, pursuant to the related rules and regulations as contained in the school's student handbook and with notice to the parents, undergo a random drug testing: Provided, That all drug testing expenses whether in public or private schools under this Section will be borne by the government;

(d) Officers and employees of public and private offices. – Officers and employees of public and private offices, whether domestic or overseas, shall be subjected to undergo a random drug test as contained in the company's work rules and regulations, which shall be borne by the employer, for purposes of reducing the risk in the workplace. Any officer or employee found positive for use of dangerous drugs shall be dealt with administratively which shall be a ground for suspension or termination, subject to the provisions of Article 282 of the Labor Code and pertinent provisions of the Civil Service Law;

(e) Officers and members of the military, police and other law enforcement agencies. – Officers and members of the military, police and other law enforcement agencies shall undergo an annual mandatory drug test;

(f) All persons charged before the prosecutor's office with a criminal offense having an imposable penalty of imprisonment of not less than six (6) years and one (1) day shall have to undergo a mandatory drug test; and

(g) All candidates for public office whether appointed or elected both in the national or local government shall undergo a mandatory drug test.