Vestavia Hills City Schools

There will be occasions when students need to take medication while at school. School nurses are happy to assist with student medication needs, but please adhere to the following regulations:

1. All medications, whether prescription or over-the-counter (OTC), must be delivered to the school nurse by a parent, guardian, or another responsible adult. Students are not allowed to bring their medications to the nurse. Do not send medications in the student’s book bag, lunch box, purse, or similar container. 
2. While on school property, students may not carry or possess any medication (prescription or OTC) on their person at any time, except in the case of emergency medications or OTC medications prescribed for self-administration.  
3. A signed permission form titled "School Medication Prescriber/Parent Authorization" is required for prescription and OTC medications. For prescription medications, both a physician's and a parent's signatures are required. For OTC medications, including cough drops and ointments, a parent's signature is needed, provided the medication is age-appropriate according to the container instructions. Parent signatures will be accepted throughout the entire school year for OTC medications.
4. Schools may not provide or keep stock medications such as Tylenol or Advil in the health room. Triple antibiotic ointment and calamine lotion can be kept in the healthroom for as-needed use for students without a known medication allergy.
5. Prescription medications must be brought to the healthroom in their labeled pharmacy bottle. A current dated school bottle is required each time new medication is delivered to the school nurse. All OTC medications must be delivered in their original, unopened, age-appropriate containers.
6. Controlled prescription medications will be counted each time they are brought to the school nurse. Do not bring more than a one-month supply at a time.
7. If a student requires emergency medication, such as an inhaler or EpiPen, that is to be kept on their person, consult your school nurse for guidance. Both the student’s physician and parent must provide written and signed permission on the authorization form.
8. Any unused medications that are not collected by parents or guardians by the last day of each school year will be disposed of according to the safe medication disposal guidelines.

These procedures are intended for the safety of our students. If you have questions or concerns about these rules, contact your school nurse.