Medications

When it is necessary for a student to take any prescription or over-the-counter medication during school hours, the school nurse MUST have:

  1. Written direction from the health care provider for administering the medication
  2. A written request from the parent to administer medication to their child. The parent must deliver the medication to school and personally pick up any unused medicine.
  3. Medication must be in the original container with the exact amount of doses needed to be dispensed in school. 
  4. If a student has an attestation form completed by their provider to self‐carry and self‐administer medication, including but not limited to, rescue inhalers, epi-pens and diabetes, the parent/guardian will assume responsibility for ensuring their child is taking the medication as ordered. Otherwise STUDENTS MUST NOT HAVE MEDICATION ON THEIR PERSON WHILE AT SCHOOL.


    In some situations, Independent students can be permitted to carry their medication with them because the medicine needs rapid administration. Students who require rescue medications for respiratory conditions, allergies, or diabetes must be permitted to self-carry and self-administer their medications if they have a healthcare provider order authorizing them to self-carry and self-administer their medications and written parent/guardian consent pursuant to Education Law §§ 916, 916-a, and 916-b. The healthcare provider’s medication order must attest that the healthcare provider has determined the student is able to self-administer their own medication effectively independently.  Any questions regarding such orders should be directed to your school nurse.

  5. Requests for orders for use of Non-FDA sanctioned medications/supplements during the school day including but not limited to: herbal remedies, essential oils, dietary supplements, naturopathic or holistic medicines and natural products, are not required to be honored by a school district or school nurse. 

Nurses are not required to administer non-FDA sanctioned medicines.