Mild painkillers, throat lozenges or burn ointment: medicinal products which each provide relief in the event of minor ailments or incidents. But can first aid kits in the workplace contain such medication?

As an employer, you are obliged to put together a first aid kit to facilitate first aid in your organisation. This is based on a risk analysis and on the advice of the company doctor. Administering medication, however, does not fall under first aid.

As an employer, providing medication to employees is even an offence and you risk being held liable for administering it should there be any side effects or an allergic reaction. According to the letter of the law, medicinal products do not belong in a first aid kit. The reasoning: only a doctor or pharmacist can correctly assess what medicine is required, after all.

The company doctor will also not administer medicine in a hurry. Their primary task, after all, is to take preventive measures in protecting the employees’ physical or mental health.