Taking Medications at School

A written permission for dispensing medication (prescription, over-the-counter) must be obtained from the student’s parent/guardian and licensed prescriber. The administration of any medication without the order of a licensed prescriber and the permission of the parent/guardian is interpreted as practicing medicine and is prohibited by medical law.

Parents/guardians are responsible for initiating the procedure for medication administration during the school day. The parent/guardian will also be responsible for notifying any coaches, supervisors, or director of school sponsored extracurricular activities, as well as the Registered Nurse if there is a need for medication administration outside of the regular school day. The same rules and procedures apply.

The appropriate “School Medication Permit” form must be completed by the parent/guardian and the licensed prescriber. This form provides parent permission, medical information, and the licensed prescriber’s order required by Ohio law. A separate form is required for each medication. New forms must be submitted each school year and for each change in medication and/or dosage. No medication will be administered unless this permission, information, and order is provided. Parents must provide a signed copy of the following forms: 

The student is responsible for reporting to the clinic on time for medication administration. 

Students are not permitted to carry any medication to, from or during school; consequently, the parent is advised to deliver medication directly to the Registered Nurse. School personnel are not responsible for medication prior to delivery to them.

All medication must be delivered in the original container properly labeled with directions for administration. Over the counter medications should be in the new and unopened packages in which they were purchased. The student’s name must be clearly visible on the container/packaging. The parent must supply the school with the exact dosage.

It is the responsibility of the parent/guardian to ensure a continuous supply of medication for the student, as well as to be aware of the quantity of medication supplied to the clinic and when additional medication is needed.

• The medication will be administered in accordance with the licensed prescriber’s instructions.  STUDENTS MAY NOT CARRY OR ADMINISTER THEIR OWN MEDICATION WITH THE FOLLOWING EXCEPTION:

1. As allowed by State and Federal law, a physician may order that a student carry certain self-administered medications that may prevent a situation of potential risk to the life or long term disability.
2. The Registered Nurse will be a member of the school team to discuss with the parent how this will be implemented.

Back of doses of any medication self-carried by a student (epinephrine, rescue inhaler), should be provided by the parent to be kept in the clinic.

The district medication policy and all procedures for implementing the policy also apply to giving Tylenol/Ibuprofen for menstrual cramps or discomfort from dental braces and/or giving any other over-the-counter medication (Tums, Gas-X, Lactaid, vitamin, etc.).

When a medication has been discontinued, the parent/guardian must pick up any remaining medication within one week after discontinuation or the Registered Nurse will dispose of it.  By the last day of the school year, medication must be picked up by a parent/guardian or the Registered Nurse will dispose of it.