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Sept. 8, 2003 — It is increasingly common for children to need to take medication during the school day — whether because they are sick and parents cannot tend to them at home, or because they have a condition such as asthma or diabetes that requires daily dosage of a medication.
In a revised policy statement, "Guidelines for the Administration of Medication in School", the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) addresses over-the-counter (OTC) products, herbal medications, experimental drugs that are administered as part of a clinical trial, emergency medications, and principles of student safety.
There are many more herbal medications on the market than ten years ago, and both adults and children are using them with increasing frequency. The policy urges parents and school administrators to understand that herbal medications can sometimes have serious and dangerous adverse effects. Herbal medications and OTC medications, when taken on a regular basis, should require a physician's note to the school that in essence "prescribes" these non-prescription medications.
The statement also advises that older and responsible students should be allowed to self-medicate at school with OTC medications and certain prescription medications (eg, albuterol for asthma, insulin for diabetes). Self-medication is advised when recommended by the parent and physician, and the student is deemed responsible to remember to take prescribed doses.
The policy goes on to recommend confiscating medications shared with classmates, and removing the student's privilege of self-administration. To provide for the safety of children, the policy says schools need to develop protocols to prevent medication error. This should focus on an approach that ensures the safe-keeping and delivery of medication in a timely fashion. The statement says it is appropriate to develop a system of accountability for students who carry and self-administer their medications.
The statement urges schools to think about medication issues in advance. Answers to questions such as where medication will be stored, who is responsible for the medication, and who will carry the medication for field trips, should be defined in advance to maintain medication security and safety while ensuring timely treatment.