School Nurse: Haley Miller
Contact Information: (205) 228-3802, Fax 228-3714 or email Haley Miller
Changes to Guidelines for Medication at School
The Alabama Department of Education has recently made some updates regarding medication at school. Please review the attached updated Parent/Prescriber Authorization Form (PPA) and our TCS Medication Guidelines. Changes to note include:
- All medications, prescription and over the counter (OTC), require a Parent/Prescriber Authorization Form (PPA) with a parent signature. Prescription medications or any medications that are not FDA approved also require a prescriber signature as well as a parent signature.
- The Parent/Prescriber Authorization Form (PPA) has been updated. Please use this attached updated form for any medication to be given at school. There will be a grace period for use of the previous version of the PPA for those who have already obtained signatures on that version. If you have already obtained a prescriber signature on the outdated version of the form for this school year, you do not need to resubmit a new form until your signed form expires.
- TCS school nurses will no longer be able to keep Over The Counter (OTC) medications at school for longer than a period of ten school days without a prescriber signature. OTC medications to be kept at school for ten school days or less do not require a prescriber signature.
- Please review the attached Medication Guidelines for other important information and contact your school nurse if you have questions or need assistance.
The Alabama Board of Nursing, Alabama State Department of Education, and Trussville City Board of Education have strict guidelines regarding medications in the school setting. A School Medication Prescriber/Parent Authorization form must be completed for both prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) medication. Visit the School Medication Form to print out and return to school.Prescription on Medication
● An authorized prescriber must complete the School Medication Prescriber/Parent Authorization on form and the form must be returned to the school nurse.
● Change in dosage requires a new form to be completed by the prescriber.
● Prescription medicine must be in the original pharmacy container giving the physician’s name, dosage and instructions.
● Parents/guardians must bring medication to school. Students may not transport medicine to or from school unless they are authorized on the PPA to self-carry (see Miscellaneous section below).
Over-the-counter (OTC) Medications
● Under no circumstances is the school allowed to stock its own supply of OTC medicines.
● OTC medications (such as Advil, Motrin, Tylenol, Pepto Bismol, cough drops or syrups, etc.) require the same medication on the Prescriber/Parent Authorization form as prescription on medications.
● OTC medications may only be given according to the FDA recommendations listed on the packaging. Any requests to give a medication in a dose or manner outside of the FDA recommendations will require a prescriber's signature.
● Substances that are not approved by the FDA, such as nutritional supplements, essential oils, etc. require a prescriber's signature.
● Over the counter medications (OTC) must be in the original, unopened, sealed container bearing the entire manufacturer’s labeling with a valid expiration date.
● If the OTC medication is to be administered for ten or more school days, a parent's signature and a prescriber's signature are required on the form. Medications to be administered for less than ten school days require a parent signature only.
● Non-prescription medications should be delivered to the school by the parent/guardian along with the authorization form. The student’s name should be written legibly on the container.
● Liquid medicines must have a calibrated medicine cup, spoon or syringe.
● Certain medications for emergency and chronic health conditions such as asthma, diabetes, or anaphylaxis may be carried by the student on his/her person with a completed Medication Prescriber/Parent Authorizati form that includes parent and healthcare provider signature indicating permission to self-carry.
● Health room personnel can treat cuts, scrapes, bug bites and injury with soap and water, anti-biotic ointment, Calamine lotion, band aids and ice bags only.
● It is essential that current phone numbers and contact information be on file so that parents/guardians can be contacted.