5330 - USE OF MEDICATIONS
The Board of Education shall not be responsible for the diagnosis and treatment of student illness. With the exception of diabetes care covered under Policy 5336, the administration of prescribed medication and/or medically-prescribed treatments to a student during school hours will be permitted only when failure to do so would jeopardize the health of the student, the student would not be able to attend school if the medication or treatment were not made available during school hours, or if the child is disabled and requires medication to benefit from the educational program.
For purposes of this policy, "medication" shall include all medicines, including those prescribed by a licensed health professional authorized to prescribe drugs, and any nonprescribed (over-the-counter) drugs, preparations, and/or remedies. "Over-the-counter drug" means a drug, as defined in section 4729.01 of the Revised Code, that may be legally sold without a prescription and that is administered without the instruction of a prescriber. "Prescription drug" means a drug, as defined in section 4729.01 of the Revised Code, that is to be administered pursuant to the instructions of the prescriber, whether or not required by law to be sold only upon a prescription. "Treatment" refers both to the manner in which a medication is administered and to healthcare procedures which require special training, such as catheterization.
Before any prescribed medication (i.e., a drug) or treatment may be administered to any student during school hours, the Board shall require a written statement from a licensed health professional authorized to prescribe drugs ("prescriber") accompanied by the written authorization of the parent (see Form 5330 F1). Before any over-the-counter medication or treatment may be administered, the Board shall require the prior written consent of the parent along with a waiver of any liability of the District for the administration of the medication (see Form 5330 F1a and Form 5330 F1b). These documents shall be kept in the office of the office of the school nurse and made available to the persons designated by this policy as authorized to administer medication or treatment. A copy of the parent's written request and authorization and the prescriber's written statement must be given, by the next school day following the District's receipt of the documents, to the person authorized to administer drugs to the student for whom the authorization and statement have been received. No student is allowed to provide or sell any type of over-the-counter medication to another student. Violations of this rule will be considered violations of Policy 5530 - Drug Prevention and of the Student Code of Conduct/Discipline Code.
Parents may administer medication or treatment, with the exception of diabetes care covered under Policy 5336.
Additionally, students may administer medication or treatment to themselves, if authorized in writing by their parents and a licensed health professional authorized to prescribe drugs but only in the presence of a designated school employee with the exception of students authorized to attend to their diabetes care and management pursuant to Policy5336.
However, students shall be permitted to carry and use, as necessary, an asthma inhaler, provided the student has prior written permission from the student's parent and physician, and has submitted Form 5330 F3 - Authorization for the Possession and Use of Asthma Inhalers/Other Emergency Medication(s) to the principal and any school nurse assigned to the building.
Additionally, students shall be permitted to carry and use, as necessary, an epinephrine autoinjector to treat anaphylaxis, provided the student has prior written approval from the prescriber of the medication and the student's parent/guardian if the student is a minor, and has submitted written approval (Form 5330 F4 - Authorization for the Possession and Use of Epinephrine Autoinjector (epi-pen)) to the principal and any school nurse assigned to the building. The parent/guardian or the student shall provide a backup dose of the medication to the principal or school nurse. This permission shall extend to any activity, event, or program sponsored by the school or in which the school participates. In the event epinephrine is administered by the student or a school employee at school or at any of the covered events, a school employee shall immediately request assistance from an emergency medical service provider (911). Students with diabetes who are authorized to attend to their diabetes care and management may do so in accordance with Policy 5336.
Students may possess a drug prescribed to the student to prevent the onset of a seizure or to alleviate the symptoms of a seizure, provided that the student has prior written approval from the student’s physician, and if the student is a minor, the written approval of the student’s parent or guardian (Form 5330 F5 - Authorization for the Possession and Use of Seizure Medications). Copies of the written approvals must be provided to the Principal and any school nurse assigned to the building. This permission shall extend to any activity, event, or program sponsored by the school or in which the school participates.
Students shall be permitted to possess and self-administer over-the-counter topical sunscreen products while on school property or at a school-sponsored event provided the student has submitted prior written approval of their parent/guardian to the principal. (See Form 5330 F1a or Form 5330 F1b)
With the exception of diabetes care covered under Policy 5336, only employees of the Board who are licensed health professionals, or who have completed a drug administration training program conducted by a licensed health professional and are designated by the Board, may administer prescription drugs to students in school.
With the exception of diabetes care covered under Policy 5336, provided they have completed the requisite training, the following staff are authorized to administer prescription and over-the-counter medication and treatment to students:
- principal
- teacher
- school nurse
- building secretary
- aide
- others as designated by the student's IEP and/or 504 plan
- others by assigned by the building Principal
Individuals who administer medications designed to prevent the onset of seizures or alleviate the symptoms of a seizure will receive training regarding the circumstances under which the drug is to be administered to the student and how it should be administered. They will also receive a copy of the written approval issued by the student’s physician.
No employee will be required to administer a drug to a student if the employee objects, on the basis of religious convictions, to administering the drug.
With the exception of diabetes care covered under Policy 5336, the Board shall permit the administration by a licensed nurse or other authorized staff member of any medication requiring intravenous or intramuscular injection or the insertion of a device into the body when both the medication and the procedure are prescribed by a licensed health professional authorized to prescribe drugs and the nurse/staff member has completed any and all necessary training.
Students who may require administration of an emergency medication may have such medication in their possession upon written authorization of their parent(s) or such medication, upon being identified as aforenoted, may be stored in the schools nurses office and administered in accord with this policy and Policy 5336.
Students who are experiencing an apparent opioid-related drug overdose may be administered Naloxone ("Narcan") by the school nurse, or a trained school employee, volunteer, or contractor, to a student or other individual on school grounds in accordance with Board policy and AG 5330.05. Emergency services will be contacted as soon as is practicable. A designated staff member will also promptly notify the student’s parent/guardian.
The Superintendent shall prepare administrative guidelines, as needed, to address the proper implementation of this policy.
Revised 1/4/18
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