School Provided OTC Medications: Some schools may choose to have Over-the-Counter (OTC) stock medications available. Parents/guardians will complete the consent to dispense Over-the Counter medications form during enrollment each year. This consent allows health staff and designated staff to provide OTC medications when appropriate.

The stock supply will be limited to cough drops, ibuprofen, calcium carbonate, acetaminophen, diphenhydramine (will be removed 27/28 school year), cetirizine (allergic reaction use only), contact solution, hydrocortisone and antibiotic ointment. If parents/guardians would like to have school stock medications available to their scholars to manage intermittent minor illnesses during the school day, the consent must be completed.

Medication is only dispensed after a health assessment/evaluation is performed in the health office that supports the use of the OTC interventions. To minimize the possibility of a drug overdose, non-prescribed medications may not be dispensed during the first and last hour of the school day. Medications are also not given at school if they may mask contagious illness symptoms. The designated school personnel or school nurse may call and consult the parent/guardian before administering the medication.

If health office staff reasonably believe that a student is misusing school-stocked OTC medications, such as seeking them every day, staff may refuse to issue requested OTC meds to a student. Parents/guardians may be communicated with in these instances. If a health assessment/evaluation does not support the use of OTC medications it will not be dispensed. Health office staff try least invasive forms of interventions first i.e. rest, ice, heat, snacks, hydration.

Parent Provided OTC Medications: If a student must take regular doses of non-prescription (OTC) medications while at school, the parent/guardian must bring the non-prescription/OTC medication to the academy office and complete an additional Consent to Dispense Form with signed instructions for administration. Dosage requested by the parent/guardian shall be in keeping with the manufacturer’s recommendations. There may be instances where a doctor’s order is needed to support daily administration of the medication in office.

 Any medications that the school nurse feels are unsafe will not be administered until licensed healthcare provider clarification is obtained. School nurses must follow all State Scope of Practice regulations.

Non-FDA approved medications and/or supplements are not allowed to be dispensed by health offices. Off label use of OTC medications and/or prescription medications are not allowed unless they are supported with clear written medical provider instructions. Each instance of administration of a non-prescription or OTC drug shall be documented in Power School by the administering health office staff.

Students are not permitted to keep prescription or OTC medications on their person or in their lockers on campus (all drugs, including cough drops, are kept locked in the health office). The campus administration must be notified immediately of students suspected of breaching these regulations. Violation of these policies places the student and others at great risk of personal harm, and as such, will result in disciplinary action.