The HHS and SAMHSA/CSAP/DWP has published two Federal Register Notices on the proposed revisions to the Mandatory Guidelines for Federal Workplace Drug Testing Programs (Guidelines) for Urine (URMG) and for Oral Fluid (OFMG) for the 60-day public comment period.
The OFMG establish the standards and technical requirements for:
- Oral fluid collection devices
- Initial oral fluid drug test analytes and methods
- Confirmatory oral fluid drug test analytes and methods
- Forensic acceptability of oral fluid testing
From the inception of this Program, the urine specimen was the only specimen authorized for collection and testing for a federal agency employee subject to drug testing under the Guidelines. However, due to advances in science and technology, the OFMG will provide federal executive branch agencies with the option of collecting and testing an oral fluid specimen. The OFMG will provide flexibility for the federal agency DFWP to address unique testing needs and remove the requirement to collect only a urine specimen. Federal agencies, Medical Review Officers, and federally-regulated industries using the OFMG will continue to adhere to all other federal standards established for workplace drug testing programs.
Additionally, the proposed Guidelines will expand the testing panel for both oral fluid and urine to include four additional Schedule II prescription medications (hydrocodone, hydromorphone, oxycodone, and oxymorphone).