MEDICATIONS AT SCHOOL

My name is Rita Stowe, RN, BSN, MSN and I am the school nurse for the Unified School District of Antigo. I wanted to inform you of the updated medication administration law, ACT 87, effective on December 9, 2011 in Wisconsin.

The law states that it is preferred that a student take medications at home, but if they must take them at school, it will require a Medication Request form to be signed by the parent or guardian, and the student’s health care provider when it is a prescription medication.

· Prescription medications need a Medication Request form that must be signed by your health care provider with clear instructions on how, when, and the dose of medication that needs to be given. Parents and/or guardians will also need to sign this form and return it with the medication to the school. Prescription drugs are required to be supplied in the original pharmacy-labeled package; and the package specifies the name of the pupil, the name of the prescriber, the name of the prescription drug, the dose, the effective date, and the directions in a legible format. You can ask your pharmacist for an extra bottle with a label for the school.

***Prescribed medication should be brought to school by a parent or guardian to help prevent any misuse. This includes any narcotic, sedative, anxiety, or stimulant medication as students are NOT allowed to be in possession of these substances.***

· If your student needs to take an “over the counter” medication, they will need a Medication form signed by the parent or guardian, and returned to the school. Nonprescription drug product shall be supplied in the original manufacturer's package, and the package must list the ingredients and recommended therapeutic dose in a legible format. Examples include cough drops, contact solution, sore throat strips, and pain relievers like Tylenol or Advil. Older students, if proper forms are completed, may have parental permission to carry and dose medications independently and without school liability.

***Some over the counter products that have a potential to be misused like cold or flu products will need to be kept and locked in the school office also.***

· Please complete a student self-medication request form; that is signed by your health care provider, if you wish to have your child carry their prescription medication with them.  Most commonly these include Epi-pens, insulin, and rescue inhalers.   Other prescription medications, like for migraines as an example, can be reviewed case by case by the school nurse to determine if the self carry request is reasonable. 

· Medications needed for 10 days or less, like an antibiotic, does not require a physician signature. Most summer school programs also meet this timeline. Possible exclusions for this rule can include a narcotic, sedative, anxiety, or stimulant medication, as these should have a physician signature.

For forms, please utilize the Health Services tab on the district’s homepage at www.antigo.k12.wi.us for the Medication Request forms and Self-Medication forms located under this tab. If you do not have Internet access, each school has copies they can provide.