Skip To Main Content

Medication in School

 

To ensure the safe administration of medication at school, CPS follows applicable Massachusetts Department of Public Health requirements, including 105 CMR 210.000: The Administration of Medications in Public and Non-Public Schools.

A Medication Administration Form must be completed and on file in the Health Office before medication can be administered at school. Caregivers and licensed prescribers are encouraged to schedule medications outside of school hours whenever possible.

  • All prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) medications require appropriate authorization from a licensed prescriber and caregiver, with the exception of Tylenol (acetaminophen) and ibuprofen, which may be administered with caregiver permission.
  • A current medication order from a licensed prescriber must provide sufficient information for the safe administration of the medication, including the medication name, dosage, route, frequency or time of administration, and any other relevant instructions.
  • Medication orders must be renewed at the beginning of each academic year and whenever there is a change in medication, dose, or administration time.
  • For short-term medications prescribed for 10 days or less, a correctly labeled pharmacy container may be accepted in accordance with district procedures.
  • All medications must be delivered to the Health Office by a caregiver or designated adult in the original, properly labeled pharmacy or manufacturer's container. The prescription label must match the medication order and clearly identify the student's name, medication, and dosage. Caregivers may request two pharmacy-labeled containers when filling a prescription—one for home and one for school.
  • No more than a 30-day supply should be provided to the Health Office.
  • Medications are secured in the Health Office, except approved emergency medications that require immediate access, such as epinephrine auto-injectors, asthma rescue inhalers, insulin, and glucagon.
  • Certain medications may be self-carried and/or self-administered when approved by the school nurse and caregiver and appropriate documentation is in place. These may include asthma rescue inhalers, epinephrine auto-injectors, insulin and glucose-testing devices, and enzymes for cystic fibrosis, as appropriate to the student's needs, level of independence, and individual health plan.
  • Narcotic medications are not administered during the school day.
  • Seasonal allergy medications should be administered at home whenever possible and are not routinely administered at school.
  • Cough drops are not provided by the Health Office due to choking concerns and potential food-allergy risks.
  • Students with life-threatening allergies who require an epinephrine auto-injector must have the prescribed emergency medication provided to the Health Office by the caregiver. Emergency medication must be current and available as required by the student's allergy/emergency plan.

Field Trips: School nurses are not routinely present on field trips. Required emergency medications, including epinephrine auto-injectors, will accompany students, and designated staff are trained to administer epinephrine in the event of anaphylaxis. Antihistamines such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl) are not sent on field trips when a nurse is not present. When medication is needed on a field trip, a staff member delegated by the school nurse may administer medication as permitted by Massachusetts regulations and district procedures. For out-of-state trips, an age-appropriate student, as determined by the school nurse, may carry and self-administer medication when permitted and appropriate documentation is in place.

All medications must be picked up by a parent/guardian before the close of the school year. Any medication remaining in the Health Office after the end of the school year will be disposed of according to district procedures.