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    Medication Administration During School Hours

    Gonzales ISD medication policy and procedures are designed to insure compliance with the Texas Education Agency. Parents are encouraged to schedule the administration of medicine in such a manner that medication required at school is kept to a minimum. However, if it becomes necessary for your child to take medication (prescription or non-prescription (OTC) medication) during the school day, the following procedures MUST be followed. Students will not be allowed to have medication in their possession during school hours, with the exception of students with diabetes or asthma, and then only if the appropriate forms are completed and the student is able to follow the rules. All medication, treatment, and therapy medical orders must be less than or equal to one year in order to have the school health office perform the prescribed action.  

    1.  The appropriate form for health services consent to dispense medication is to be completed and given to the school health office with the prescription and/or  OTC medication. Ask the pharmacy when prescribed prescriptions are filled for two labeled containers: one for school and one for home. All medication must be properly labeled, including OTC medication. All prescription medication labels must include the following: patient's name, dosage, administration time, doctor's name and the date the prescription was filled.   
    2. Prescribed/scheduled medication requires the physicians and parents' consent on the form prior to dispensing medication. Over-the-counter medication only requires parents'consent. When OTC medication is administered daily for more than 5 consecutive days, a PHYSICIANS ORDER IS REQUIRED.
    3. It is the responsibility of the parent or guardian to transport medication to and from school. Students are never allowed to transport medication to school or home.
    4. Any sample medications prescribed by the physician must be labeled and accompanied by a prescription, and the parent must complete the consent to dispense the medication form. 
    5. Non-prescription (OTC) medication MUST be in the original, sealed container. The label must include appropriate dosing for the AGE of the student. This includes medication such as Tylenol, cough drops, neosporin, and cold/allergy medications. We DO NOT stock any OTC medication in the health office.
    6. No intravenous, intramuscular or subcutaneous medications, with the exception of diabetes medications or epinephrine will be considered for administration at school. No herbal medications or products, medications from another country or in a language other than English, outdated medications, trial or study medications will be administered during school hours by the health office. 
    7. The district is not responsible for providing equipment for students or the adjunct equipment to deliver the medication. Examples include a nebulizer or oxygen, and tubing or face mask.
    8. Students with asthma are permitted by law to self-administer their asthma medication provided that the permission to self-administer asthma medication form is signed by the student, a parent, and the physician prescribing the medication on a yearly basis. Students with asthma are expected to report recurrent or worsening symptoms to the health office, so that the parent may be notified of the student's current condition, and/or seek medical care from the physician.
    9. In the event that the school health office performs several therapies and treatments for students served under the special programs, there are numerous prescriptions to be administered, or there is inadequate space to lock medications on a campus, the ability to dispense OTC medications may vary from campus to campus. 
    10. The school health office retains the right to refuse to dispense mediation during school hours, if in his/her opinion it is in conflict with the Texas Board of Nurse Examiners rules and regulations, or the medication is not labeled by the FDA for the age group or purpose for which it is requested to be administered. This may include narcotic pain medication that is temporarily prescribed to be administered during the school day. A request for the physician to clarify orders or have ongoing communication to address health issues may occur.
    11. It is the responsibility of the student to report to the health office to take his/her medication. If the student forgets to come in for his/her daily dose, the health office will make every effort to call the student in as time permits. In the absence of the school health office, the principal or designee should administer the medication to the student. 
    12. It is the parent's responsibility to retrieve medication from the health office on or before a designated date (per campus) at the end of each school year. Medication not picked up will be destroyed. No medication will be stored over the summer.  

    Medication will not be administered if a parent or guardian has not completed the consent forms.