Medications at School
The administration of medications at school is generally discouraged. This is for the safety of your student. Under most circumstances, prescription and non-prescription medication should be taken before or after school, and under parent or medical supervision. Medications prescribed to be taken three times per day can be administered before school, after school, and at bedtime, thus do not need to be sent to school.
Parents/guardians are always welcome to come to the school and administer medications to their own child.
Prescription Medication
IF a student must take or receive prescription medication (excluding Emergency Asthma Reliever medications and EpiPens) while on school property or during district-sponsored events, please ensure the following is completed:
- A Medication Permission Form filled out by a healthcare provider and signed by a parent/guardian is brought to the school office.
- A new form is needed each new school year and for all changes in medication, dose or time. The medication must be brought to the school office by a parent/guardian or responsible adult.
- Prescription medications must be in a labeled prescription container with specific instructions.
Students are not allowed to take their own medication without physician and parent/guardian consent and approval by the school.
Non-Prescription medication
IF a student must take or receive non- prescription medication while on school property or during district-sponsored events, please ensure the following is completed:
- A Non Prescription Medication Form must be filled out and signed by a parent/guardian is brought to the school office.
- A new form is needed each new school year and for all changes in medication, dose or time. The medication must be brought to the school office by a parent/guardian or responsible adult.
- Students are not permitted to carry medication on the school buses or the school grounds. Under extenuating circumstances, there may be exceptions. This is for the safety of all students.
- Over-the-counter medications must be in the original container.
Students are not allowed to take their own medication without physician and parent/guardian consent and approval by the school.
Emergency Asthma Reliever medications
For Emergency Asthma Reliever medications, an Asthma Action Plan is required. This form is to be filled out by a healthcare provider and signed by a parent/guardian.
Pursuant to Mont. Code Ann. § 20-5-420, if you would like your student to carry and/or self-administer his/her asthma medication:
- Your healthcare provider needs to sign an Authorization to Self-Carry form.
- Parent/guardian must sign the form as well.
For severe allergic reactions requiring EpiPens
EpiPens on campus require an Anaphylaxis Emergency Care Plan. This form is to be filled out by a healthcare provider and signed by a parent/guardian.
Parents/guardians are expected to provide EpiPens for the student.
If you would like your student to carry and/or self-administer his/her EpiPens:
- Your healthcare provider needs to sign an Authorization to Self-Carry form.
- Parent/guardian must sign the form as well.
End of the School Year - Return of Medications
A reminder will be sent at the end of the year to pick up any leftover medication by the last day of school. Medication will not be sent home with students; possible exceptions may include inhalers and EpiPens with appropriate documentation. All medication not picked up by the last day of school will be destroyed.
Procedures
A. School Administered Medications (Prescription, Non-Prescription, or “Over-the-Counter”)
- All prescriptions or non-prescription medications shall be
a. Accompanied by written parental consent.
b. Accompanied by current written orders (directions and prescription) from the student’s licensed medical provider, dentist, nurse practitioner, or licensed medical provider’s assistant. Orders shall indicate the student’s name, medication, dose, route, time of administration, medication’s purpose, a statement that the medication is necessary during school hours, and any possible side effects and procedures to follow if a severe reaction occurs.
c. Sent in a pharmacy or manufacturer’s labeled container. The pharmacy label shall include the student’s name, name of medication, dose, time, and route. Students on more than one medication (or requiring different dosages of the same medication) shall provide separate pharmacy or manufacturer-labeled containers for each medication.
d. Kept in a locked cabinet or drawer with the information described in a and b above.
e. Recorded on the Medication Record Form by the designated school employee administering the medication.
f. Administered by a principal-designated school employee who shall receive annual training by a nurse in medication protocol and precautions.
- For parents who request that their elementary/middle school students carry their own Epipens, insulin, or asthma inhalers, the licensed medical provider’s order must include a statement that the student is capable of carrying and self-administering his/her own medications and that it is medically necessary for them to keep the medication with him/her at all times. (Authorization to Possess Form) (Only for grades 4-8)
- Written orders must be presented to the school office at the beginning of each school year and as medication is prescribed or changed. Requests for changes in dosage, time, or route for any medication shall be accompanied by a written order (see 1.b. above) and new appropriately labeled containers with updated information. Requests to discontinue medication shall be accompanied by a written parent request and written licensed medical provider’s order. A copy of these instructions shall be kept on file with the designated school employee.
- Students with diabetes, seizure disorders, or severe allergic disorders that require emergency medication shall have written instructions from their health care provider, written instructions from parents, and names and telephone numbers of emergency contact persons. A nurse shall review the procedure for administering emergency medications with a school administrator and school personnel, as appropriate.
- All medication that is to be given at school must be furnished by the parent or guardian and delivered to the school by a responsible adult. Unused medication must be picked up by a responsible adult within two weeks following the last dose administered. Medication remaining at the school after this time should be destroyed according to the direction of the nurse.
Self-Administered Medications or Other Substances
- Secondary students may retain and self-administer medications subject to the following a) medication, prescription or non-prescription, shall be taken only as directed by prescription or manufacturer’s directions; and b) Medication, prescription or non-prescription, shall not be sold, shared, or otherwise given to others.
- A responsible adult must transport syringes (insulin pens excepted) to and from school, and they must be kept in a locked cabinet or drawer in the nurse’s office.
Other Information
- The school district may withdraw authorization for self-administration of medication at any time, in accordance with school district policy, with parental notice.
- Violation of the district’s medication policy may be regarded as substance abuse and could result in disciplinary action pursuant to the school district’s policies and procedures regarding substance abuse.
- Forms and sample letters to assist with the administration of medication and communication with parents about this memorandum are available from the school nurse.