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Medication

Students may receive or self-administer medication at school when the medication is medically necessary for health or learning and must be taken during the school day. All medication, over-the-counter and prescriptions, must be prescribed by a licensed physician.

Required form for medication

Medication Administration Request Form

School staff may administer medication to students only when the Medication Administration Request Form or Emergency Action Plan is completed by the parent and physician and present at the school. These forms are also available from the school. No prescription medication will be given by a school official unless it is in a container dispensed by a pharmacy with the student's name, name of medication, date prescription was filled, and directions clearly marked. A new medication form must be completed if there is a change in medication or medication dosing directions and for each school year. Parents or guardians are responsible for monitoring medication expiration dates and replacing medication when expired.

If there is no medication on hand in the event of an emergency, the school will call 911.

At the beginning of each school year, an adult will need to bring the medicine along with the completed form to the school. The school cannot give medicine to your child without this form.

Elementary and Middle School

  • Only an inhaler or Epi-Pen may be self-carried and administered at the elementary level after competency deemed by physician and the school nurse.
  • Sunscreen products and insect repellent products are considered medication and must be accompanied by a completed medication form. Cough drops are also considered medication and must be accompanied by a completed medication form. These products should be in the original container and labeled with the student's name. Lip balm does not require a medication form and is for self-use and self-carry.
  • An adult is responsible for transporting all medicines at the elementary school level unless the medication is an emergency medication that the child has permission to keep with them.

High School

  • Students in grades 9-12 with the written parental consent (on student health questionnaire), may carry and administer over-the-counter and prescription medication excluding controlled substances (e.g., Ritalin, Methylphenidate, Adderall, Dexedrine, Tylenol #3, Xanax, etc.). Students who self-medicate must carry the medicine in the original container and at no time share medicine with other students.

Student self-administration of emergency medications

State law allows students who have met certain conditions to carry and self-administer emergency medication during the school day and at all school-sponsored after-school events, including transportation to and from the event, for asthma and severe, life-threatening allergies (anaphylaxis). Medication includes asthma inhalers and injectable epinephrine.

  • The parent or guardian must provide the school with a completed Medication Administration Request Form for grades K-8 and the written parental consent for grades 9-12.
  • The student must be observed and certified by the school nurse to be able to self-administer the medication.

Controlled Substances

Controlled substances may be administered in the school setting with a completed Medication Administration Request Form. Controlled substances may NOT be self-administered or self-carried by any student. Medication should be in a container dispensed by a pharmacy with the student's name, name of medication, date prescription was filled, and directions clearly marked and kept in a secure location.

Disposal of Unused Medication

All unused, discontinued, or expired medication must be returned to the parent or guardian or disposed of in accordance with the BCPS Medication Disposal Process. All medication not picked up on the last day of school will be disposed of according to this process.

Field Trips

Medication administration information applies to all field trips. All participating students must submit a "Permission Form for Overnight/Extended School Day Field Trips" completed by their parent/guardian. The Burke County Public Schools medication policy must be followed at all times with all medications.