Medication Administration and Authorization
Ridgefield Public Schools Medication Policy
State regulations require that no medication be administered to students at school without written authorization from a licensed physician, dentist, advanced practice registered nurse or physician assistant licensed to prescribe medication and a parent/guardian. This regulation applies to all prescription and all nonprescription medication (such as any cold or allergy medications). The only exception to this policy is the administration of acetaminophen and/or ibuprofen provided there is a “parent permissions” in PowerSchool.
If your child will require the administration of any other medication during the school day (asthma inhalers, antihistamines, emergency epinephrine injection for a severe allergy, or any non-prescription drugs) the following procedure is required by State regulation:
You and your child’s health care provider must complete the Medication Authorization Form. This is required by State regulations. You should ask the health care provider to complete the form for you at the time he/she prescribes the medication. This authorization form must be renewed each year for any medication taken in school. If your health care provider does not have the required authorization form you can contact the school to receive this form.
The medication must be brought to the school by the parent or guardian. The student may not deliver the medication to the school. The medication must be in its original prescription bottle. Send only the amount of medication the student will need to take at school and keep the rest at home. Pharmacies are helpful in providing a second prescription bottle to keep at school. If the student will be taking a controlled medication, such as Ritalin, over an extended period of time, the school is only permitted to keep a 45-day supply.
Taking medication in school is disruptive to a student’s schedule and should be done only if absolutely necessary. A medication to be given only three times a day can be taken before school, after school and at bedtime.