Clinic

• ALL medication must be brought to the clinic by a parent or guardian. Students transporting medications will be subject to disciplinary action.
• ALL medications must be age appropriate in order to administer unless stating otherwise by physician’s note.
• All medications must be current, in original container, and have a signed permission form. Inhalers to be self-carried require a physician’s note stating the student is allowed to carry the medication and have an action plan on file.

Nonprescription drugs and Prescription drugs

The school must receive a written and dated request from the parent or legal guardian to administer any medication. This permission must include the name of the drug, the exact dosage and reason or purpose the student is to receive the medication. Prescription and nonprescription drugs must be in the original container and properly labeled. Authorized District employees have the right to refuse to administer prescription and nonprescription medications that have not received approval by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Only the guidelines printed on the container will be followed unless a physician order is present. The Surgeon General, the Food and Drug Administration, and the Center for Disease Control have recommended that due to the increased risk of developing “Reye’s Syndrome”, aspirin or products containing aspirin not be given to children under 18 years of age. If your physician orders aspirin for your child, please send a copy of the physician order.

Additional guidelines for medication to be administered at school

• All medication must be kept in the clinic during the school day with the exception of emergency medications with appropriate physician’s orders.
• Over-the-counter medication dosage must not exceed the dose recommendation listed on the bottle. Exception: If your physician, dentist, or orthodontist has directed a certain dosage to be given that is greater than that recommended on the bottle, a written order will need to be included with the written permission from the parent.
• The use of “sample” medication from the physician, dentist, or orthodontist must have signed written instructions from that doctor accompanied by the parent written permission.
• No expired prescription or nonprescription medications will be administered.
• No more than a ninety (90) day supply of a prescription medication may be checked in at one time.
• No more than a thirty (30) day supply of a nonprescription medication, to be used “as needed”, may be checked in at one time.
• All prescription and nonprescription medications must be labeled in English.
• All prescription medications must be prescribed by an authorized licensed healthcare provider in Texas.  Medications prescribed by authorized licensed healthcare providers in other US states may be accepted for no longer than 45 calendar days.
• In the interest of safety for all students, medications cannot be transported to or from school on the school bus. Should your child need to have medication at school please bring or make arrangements for the medication to be brought to the clinic. For your convenience, many of the local pharmacies will provide a second labeled container for medications needed at school. Please note:  If a medication is required daily or twice-a-day, please administer at home. Many three-times-a-day orders may also be given at home unless the doctor requests specific time during school day.
• A record of each medication given at school is maintained in the clinic.
• Inhalers: Students with asthma may experience times when symptoms worsen and a physician requests that the student carry an inhaler to be used as needed. Please provide a letter from the physician with complete instructions for inhaler use and permission for the student to carry the inhaler. It is strongly recommended that a spare inhaler be kept in the clinic in case a student is unable to locate their personal inhaler.
• For medication for anaphylaxis, such as an “epi-pen”, to be in the possession of a student, the student must have a written letter from a physician stating that the student is capable of self-administering the medication if needed. This procedure is also evaluated by the school nurse to insure that the student is adequately prepared to self-administer the medication. It is strongly recommended a spare “epi-pen” be kept in the clinic.
• For students with Diabetes to carry supplies and self-administer insulin, the student must have a written plan from a physician stating that the student is capable of self-managing their care.
• All medication is to be picked up in the clinic by a parent or a designated adult at the end of the school year. No medication will be kept over the summer months. Please make arrangements with your campus clinic staff regarding pick-up of medications.