Medications at School

Overview

Washington State Law permits school staff to administer medication only in limited situations. When possible, the parents/guardians and health care provider are urged to design a schedule for giving medication outside school hours. Medication is defined to mean all drugs, whether prescription or “over-the-counter”. Prior to administration of any medication, the following requirements must be met:

1. Form #410, Parent’s Request and Physician/Dentist Instructions for Giving Medication at School must be completed and signed by both the parent and Physician (MD, DDS, DO). The form is available at your child’s school. This request is valid for a period not to exceed the current school year.
2. All medication must be in the originally labeled container and be labeled with the student’s name. No more than a 30-day supply shall be accepted by the school.
3. Medication may be administered by a non-licensed, but trained, district employee.
4. Medication will be brought to school by a responsible adult. All controlled drugs such as Ritalin, Tylenol with Codeine, etc. must be counted by the parent/guardian and a designated school employee before being accepted by the school.
5. It will be the child’s responsibility to come to the office at the appropriate time for medication. However, efforts will be made to ensure the child is reminded as needed.
6. For school sponsored off campus activities a copy of the permission form and the medication in its original container must accompany the student if he/she is to take the medication on the outing.
7. Injectable medication will not be administered to students by school district staff (other than nurses) except in the case of Epi-Pens. Appropriate staff will be trained in the administration of injectable Epinephrine for those students with physician orders for its use.
8. If the above requirements have not been met, the parent may come to school and administer the medication.

Students in preschool through fifth grade shall not be in possession of over-the-counter or prescription drugs or medications/remedies on school premises except in situations where the parent, physician, principal, and school nurse believe it is in the best interest of the student to carry and self-administer medication. The student will carry the medication form signed by the physician along with one school day’s dosage only, which must be in the originally labeled container (exception will be made in the case of inhalers).

Students in grades 6-12 may be in possession of prescription medications only as outlined above. Over-the-counter (nonprescription) medications may be carried on school premises only under the following conditions: student must carry written permission from parent/guardian indicating what over-the-counter medicine and dosage the student may take and may carry only one school day’s dosage.

No student may give, dispense, or administer any medication or remedy to another student.