Posting Date: July, 2004 Administering Medicines to Students (Policy & Regulation 6405)
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Shelby County Schools

2004-2005 Student-Parent Handbook

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ADMINISTERING MEDICINES TO STUDENTS (POLICY & REGULATION 6405)



In compliance with state laws and district policies, the following policies and guidelines concerning administration of medications at school must be followed. If the policy and guidelines are not followed, the school nurse and the school personnel WILL NOT give the medication. (T.C.A§49-5-415)


Medication in Schools
If under exceptional circumstances a child is required to receive medication during school hours and the parents cannot be at school to administer the medication, only the school nurse or the principal's designee will administer the medication in compliance with the regulations that follow:
  1. The Medication (only if absolutely necessary) - Only medicines which absolutely MUST be given during the school hours should be brought by parent or guardian to school for dispensing at school. Please make arrangements for all other medicines to be given at home, either before or after school time. Most medications which need to be given one, two or three times a day, can be given during the hours outside of school hours. Your child's health care provider can give you guidance about whether or not a dosage schedule can be changed. All medication will be brought to school by the parent or guardian, unless other arrangements have been approved by the school principal, but under no circumstance shall a student bring the medication to school by himself/herself. All medication must be brought in its original container whether it be a prescription or non-prescription medication.

  2. Bring only enough medication to school for a TWO WEEK period. This is particularly important for medications that might be stolen or that have a street value, such as Ritalin.

  3. Over-the-counter medicines-usually MAY NOT be given at school. There may be some exceptions, but arrangements need to be made with the principal and/or school nurse.

  4. Original Containers All medicines must be in their original containers and correctly labeled. Prescription medicines must have a pharmacy label or a label from the doctor's office or health care facility which includes the child's name, name of the medicine, strength of each unit of medicine and dosage amount and time as well as the doctor's name. Over-the-counter medicines must be labeled with the child's name in a manner which does not cover up the original container label.

  5. Parent Authorization All medicines must have a Parent Authorization form completed, and the medicine container information must match the Parent Authorization. (A copy of this form is in the back of this Handbook. Extra copies are available in the school office. Click here for a copy of the form.)
WRITTEN Parent Permission Required

  1. Written instruction signed by the parent or legal guardian will be required and will include: (Authorization for Administering Medicine at School #REV-02-93-039PS: See page 29 for sample form click here for sample form.)
    1. Child's name;
    2. Name of medication;
    3. Purpose of medication;
    4. Time to be administered;
    5. Dosage;
    6. Possible side effects;
    7. Termination date for administering the medication.
    8. Name and phone number of prescribing physician.

  2. The signed instruction form will be kept on file at the school.

  1. The principal or the principal's designee will:
    1. Inform appropriate school personnel of the medication being taken;
    2. Keep a record of the administration of medication on designated form and will keep this record on file at school;
    3. Keep medication in a locked area EXCEPT students with asthma who have inhalers at school may keep inhalers with themselves or with teacher in the classroom; and
    4. Return unused medication to the parent only or discard appropriately.
  2. Variable Dosage If the dosage of your child's medication is variable, PLEASE call the school nurse or principal so that we can work with you to get appropriate doctor's orders, Parent Authorization forms, and container labeling. The medication amount or time CANNOT be changed just by a phone call from the parent.

  3. Medication must be in form ready to dispense - Pills that must be divided for dosage amounts (in half or quarters) must be brought to school pre-divided. School personnel may not divide pills. School personnel may not mix or reconstitute medicines, unless this is an absolute necessity for your child's medicine.

  4. Medication Change - The parents of the child must assume responsibility for informing the school principal of any change in the child's health or change in medication.

  5. Invasive Medication - Should medication of an invasive nature (i.e., intramuscular, intravenous, suppository) be required to be given by school personnel for emergency action, proper physician orders and instructions will be obtained and proper training will be given to appropriate personnel.

  6. No Refrigeration - Schools do not have appropriate refrigeration facilities for medications, therefore, medicines which require refrigeration should not be brought to school. If your child MUST have a medicine which requires refrigeration, call the school medication clerk or the school principal to make advance arrangements.

  7. The school system retains the discretion to reject request for administration of medicine.

  8. A copy of this regulation will be provided to parents upon their requests for administration of medication in the schools.