Subject: page of ,

Commissary Purchase of OTC
Medication and Health Care Items
DEPARTMENT OF REHABILITATION 4-4379; HC-1A-36 AUTHORITY
This policy is issued in compliance with Ohio Revised Code 5120.01 which delegates to the Director of the Department of Rehabilitation and Correction the authority to manage and direct the total operations of the Department and to establish such rules and regulations as the Director prescribes. The purpose of this policy is to establish guidelines for the provision of non-prescription, over-the-counter (OTC) medication and personal care items to inmates through each institutional commissary. APPLICABILITY
This policy applies to all persons employed by, or under contract with, the Department of Rehabilitation and Correction, and to all inmates incarcerated within the Department’s institutions. This policy is not applicable to the Division of Parole and Community Services. DEFINITIONS
Over the Counter Medication (OTC) - Non-prescription medication used to self-manage non-life
threatening symptoms or complaints.
It is the policy of the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction to provide non-prescription, over the counter medication and personal care items for inmates to purchase through each institutional commissary. PROCEDURES

A.
The following personal care items shall be provided in institutional commissaries. These items must be stocked in quantities based on inmate utilization. SUBJECT: Commissary Purchase of OTC Medication and Health Care Items ADA-approved Dental Floss (waxed or unwaxed)
a. In spools 5 yards or longer at institutions with a security level of 1, 2, 3, or 4;
institutions with a security level of 1, 2, 3, or 4 may only use ADA-approved 18-inch lengths of dental floss in special management housing areas. b. In at least 18-inch lengths at institutions with a security level of 5 or Death Row. Nail clippers (small standard size, no attached files) Feminine hygiene articles (female institutions only) Other personal care items not listed in this policy may be stocked at the discretion of the commissary manager (Ex: soaps, lotions, Non-mirrored sunglasses, etc.) with approval of the Managing Officer. The ODRC Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee shall maintain a standardized inventory list
for oral and topical over-the-counter medications (see attached table).

1. All over-the-counter medication (OTC) items on the standardized inventory list must be
made available in each institution commissary. 2. OTC medications which are not listed on the standardized inventory list may not be sold by 3. All items on the standardized inventory list must be sold at commissary for no more than 7% Amounts noted in the quantity column of the standardized inventory list may be purchased in the commissary each week. Inmates may possess an open container that they are using and one week’s unopened supply. In those institutions where the commissary is available every two weeks, inmates may possess an open container that they are using and a two-week’s unopened supply. Inmates housed in residential treatment units and the Sugar Creek Developmental Unit at Allen Correctional Institution do not qualify for self-administration of medication without Treatment Team approval. This approval shall be provided in writing to the commissary manager. A Treatment Team representative shall notify the commissary manager of changes in residential treatment unit housing. OTC medications shall be physician ordered and nurse administered for inmates residing in residential treatment units. SUBJECT: Commissary Purchase of OTC Medication and Health Care Items Inmates housed in segregation may qualify for purchase of OTC medications from the commissary, except when inmate placement is related to suicide, mental health crisis, medication abuse or medication dealing. In these circumstances, all medication will be nurse administered. Security level 5 institutions and Death Row shall order and use the following non-ADA accepted security toothbrush if there are no security toothbrushes currently approved by the ADA: 1. Super Shorty Wrapped Toothbrush (3 ¼ inches long) as specified by the BOMS’ Dental Director. At the Managing Officer’s discretion, an ADA accepted security toothbrush (or, if unavailable, the above Super Shorty Wrapped Toothbrush) may be used in security control, disciplinary control, local control, RTU’s, and for Oakwood Correctional Facility inpatients. SUBJECT: Commissary Purchase of OTC Medication and Health Care Items
Product Class
Compare To
Generic Name or Ingredients
Quantity
Milk of Magnesia Magnesium Hydroxide liquid Acetylsalicylic Acid 81mg enteric coat Up to 120
tablet
Methyl Salicylate (not to exceed 15%), Up to 2 pkg Menthol (not to exceed 10%) ointment or rub Benzoyl Peroxide 10% lotion or gel or Up to 2 pkg cream SUBJECT: Commissary Purchase of OTC Medication and Health Care Items
Product Class
Compare To
Generic Name or Ingredients
Quantity
Artificial tears – various formulations Debrox or Murine Carbamide Peroxide drops *Only female institutions must carry items marked with an asterisk.

Source: http://www.drc.state.oh.us/web/drc_policies/documents/69-OCH-02.pdf