584 Policy: Student Medication

I. PURPOSE

The purpose of this policy is to set forth the provisions for student medication administration at school.

II. GENERAL STATEMENT OF POLICY

It is generally recognized that during the school day some students may require medication for chronic health conditions or short-term illness.  This medication enables students to remain in school and participate in their education.  Although the school district believes that medication should be given outside of school hours whenever possible, the district will facilitate the administration of medication for any student if the parent/guardian is willing to comply with requests for authorization and provision of information.  Self-administration of medication may be allowed if certain conditions are met.

III. REQUIREMENTS

A. Parents/guardians of students requesting that long-term medication (longer than three weeks and/or over-the-counter) be administered during school hours by school staff are required, according to school district guidelines, to provide:

1. A signed statement from the licensed prescriber; and

2. A signed parent/guardian release for the administration of medication.

B. Parents/guardians of students requesting that short-term (three weeks or less) non-controlled prescription medication be administered during school hours by school staff are required, according to school district guidelines, to provide the school with a written parent/guardian release for the administration of this medication.

C. A Consent for Administration of Medication form, or the equivalent, must be completed annually (once per school year) and/or when a change in the requirements for administration occurs.  Medication as used in this policy does not include any form of medical cannabis as defined in Minn. Stat. § 152.22, Subd. 6.

D. Medication must come to school in the original container, and must be administered in a manner consistent with the instructions or manufacturer’s label. 

E. School health service staff may request to receive further information, if needed, prior to administration of the medication.

F. Medications are to be left with the appropriate school district personnel.  Exceptions to this requirement are: prescription asthma medications self-administered with an inhaler (See Part J.5. below), and/or other non-controlled medications authorized by a licensed prescriber and the parent/guardian for self-carry/administration.

G. The school shall be notified by parent/guardian or students 18 years or older in writing of any change in the student’s medication administration.  A new medication authorization consent and/or medication container label with new pharmacy instructions shall be required.

H. For medication used by children with a disability, administration may be as provided in the student’s individualized plan.

I. The school nurse, or other designated person, shall be responsible for filing the medication authorization consent form in the health records.  The school nurse, or other designated person, shall be responsible for providing a copy of such form to the principal or to other personnel designated to administer medication.

J. Specific Exceptions:

1. Special health treatments and health functions such as catheterization, tracheostomy suctioning, and gastrostomy feedings do not constitute administration of medication;

2. Emergency health procedures, including emergency administration of medication are not subject to this policy;

3. Medication provided or administered by a public health agency to prevent or control an illness or a disease outbreak are not governed by this policy;

4. Medication used at school in connection with services for which a minor may give effective consent are not governed by this policy;

5. Medications that are prescription asthma or reactive airway disease medications can be self-administered by a student with an asthma inhaler if:

a. the school district has received a written authorization from the student’s parent/guardian permitting the student to self-administer the medication;

b. the inhaler is properly labeled for that student; and

c. the parent/guardian has not requested school personnel to administer the medication to the student.

The parent/guardian must submit written authorization for the student to self-administer the medication each school year. In addition, the student’s parent or guardian must submit written verification from the prescribing professional which documents that an assessment of the student’s knowledge and skills to safely possess and use an asthma inhaler in a school setting has been completed.

The school nurse or other designated person must assess the student’s knowledge and skills to safely possess and use an asthma inhaler in a school setting and enter into the student’s school health record a plan to implement safe possession and use of asthma inhalers;

6. Medications:

a. that are used off school grounds;

b. that are used in connection with athletics or extracurricular activities; or

c. that are used in connection with activities that occur before or after the regular school day are not governed by this policy.

7. A student in grade 9 or above may possess and use nonprescription pain relief in a manner consistent with the labeling, if the school district has received written authorization from the student’s parent/guardian permitting the student to self-administer the medication.  The parent/guardian must submit written authorization for the student to self-administer the medication each school year.  The school district may revoke a student’s privilege to possess and use nonprescription pain relievers if the school district determines that the student is abusing the privilege.  At no time will any student be permitted to share medication or give any medication to any other student.  This provision does not apply to the possession or use of any drug or product containing ephedrine or pseudoephedrine as its sole active ingredient or as one of its active ingredients.  

8. At the start of each school year or at the time a student enrolls in school, whichever is first, a student’s parent/guardian, school staff, including those responsible for student health care, and the prescribing medical professional must develop and implement an individualized written health plan for a student who is prescribed epinephrine auto-injectors that enables the student to: 

a. possess epinephrine auto-injectors; or 

b. if the parent and prescribing medical professional determine the student is unable to possess the epinephrine, have immediate access to epinephrine auto-injectors in close proximity to the student at all times during the instructional day. 

The plan must designate the school staff responsible for implementing the student’s health plan, including recognizing anaphylaxis and administering epinephrine auto-injectors when required, consistent with state law.  This health plan may be included in a student’s individualized plan. 

K. “Parent/guardian” for students 18 years old or older is the student.

Legal References:

• Minn. Stat. § 13.32 (Student Health Data) 
• Minn. Stat. § 121A.21 (Hiring of Health Personnel) 
• Minn. Stat. § 121A.22 (Administration of Drugs and Medicine)
• Minn. Stat. § 121A.221 (Possession and Use of Asthma Inhalers by Asthmatic Students) 
• Minn. Stat. § 121A.222 (Possession and Use of Nonprescription Pain Relievers by Secondary Students) Minn. Stat. § 121A.2205 (Possession and Use of Epinephrine Auto Injectors; Model Policy) 
• Minn. Stat. § 121A.2207 (Life-Threatening Allergies in Schools; Stock Supply of Epinephrine Auto-Injectors) 
• Minn. Stat. § 151.212 (Label of Prescription Drug Containers) 
• Minn. Stat. § 152.22 (Medical Cannabis; Definitions) 
• Minn. Stat. § 152.23 (Medical Cannabis; Limitations) 
• 20 U.S.C. § 1400 et seq. (Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004) 
• 29 U.S.C. § 794 et seq. (Rehabilitation Act of 1973, § 504) 

Cross References:

• MSBA/MASA Model Policy 418 (Drug-Free Workplace/Drug-Free School)

ADOPTED BY THE BOARD OF EDUCATION: July 17, 2006

REVISED BY THE BOARD OF EDUCATION:  January 22, 2019