Medication

Policy

The purpose of this policy is to ensure schools store and administer medication correctly. This topic relates to all medications including prescription and over-the-counter medication.

Summary

Schools must:

• have a local medication management policy (staff login required) that outlines the school’s processes and protocols
• protect student privacy and confidentiality
• meet their duty of care by assisting students to take their medication where appropriate
• ensure medication is accompanied by a signed Medication Authority Form (DOCX), unless it is:
  • general first aid
  • asthma medication – covered in the Asthma Action Plan
  • anaphylaxis medication – covered in the ASCIA Action Plan for Anaphylaxis
  • epilepsy emergency medication – covered in the Epilepsy Emergency Medication Plan
• ensure all medication is:
  • in its original container and bears the original label with the name of the student and information on the dosage and time to be administered
  • accompanied by written directions including advice for storage and administration
  • within its expiry date
  • stored according to the instructions, particularly in relation to temperature

When administering medication the principal, or their nominee, must ensure that the correct student receives the proper dose of the correct medication, that a record of the administration is kept in a log and that the student’s teacher is notified if they are taken out of class.

If an error is made and a student incorrectly takes medication, schools must follow the procedures set out in this policy.

Details

Schools must:

• have a local medication management policy that outlines the school’s processes and protocols, and is communicated to the school community
• protects student privacy and confidentiality to avoid stigmatisation
• ensures teachers fulfil their duty of care by assisting students to take their medication where appropriate

Schools must ensure all medication to be administered is:

• accompanied by written advice providing directions for appropriate storage and administration
• in the original container with the original label including the name of the student, information on the dosage and time to be administered
• within its expiry date
• stored according to the product instructions, particularly in relation to temperature.

Schools should encourage parents or carers to consider whether they can administer medication outside the school day, such as before and after school and before bed.

Policy template for schools

An Administration of Medication policy template (staff login required) is available on the School Policy Templates Portal. Schools can modify parts of the template to suit their local circumstances.

Authority to administer

A Medication Authority Form (DOCX) authorises school staff (including but not limited to enrolled or registered nurses employed directly by the school) to give medication to a student at school.

A Medication Authority Form is required for prescription or over-the-counter medication at school, except medications for:

• general first aid – including general use adrenaline devices and spare salbutamol (Ventolin) puffers or inhalers
• asthma – covered in a student’s Asthma Action Plan
• anaphylaxis – covered in a student’s ASCIA Action Plan for Anaphylaxis
• emergency epilepsy medication – covered in a student’s Epilepsy Emergency Medication Plan.

A Medication Authority Form must record or have written evidence that a health practitioner has authorised a medication. Acceptable evidence can include any one of the following:

• the Medication Authority Form signed by the prescribing health practitioner
• prescribed and dispensed medication in its original container or packaging with a current and original label (pharmacy label) that is stored at school
• original label (pharmacy label) directly sighted and photocopied by school staff
• a signed letter from the prescribing health practitioner (for example, GP or specialist letter or hospital discharge letter)
• a completed and signed action or management plan from the prescribing health practitioner.

A Medication Authority Form must be signed by the parent or carer for over-the-counter medication that is given on an 'as-needed' basis. In this instance:

• it must include instructions to staff about how to administer and store the medication
• if available, parents or carers are encouraged, but not required, to include any health practitioner advice for its use.

Administering medication

When administering medication the principal, or their nominee must ensure that:

• the correct student receives their correct medication in the proper dose via the correct method (such as inhaled or orally) at the correct time of day
• a medication log (DOCX) is kept of medicine administered
• teachers in charge of students (at the time their medication is required) are informed that the student needs to be medicated and release the student from class to obtain their medication.

Note: It is not the school’s role to:

• monitor the effects of medication
• interpret behaviour in relation to a medical condition.

Recording

A medication log (DOCX) or an equivalent official medications register should be used by the person administrating the taking of medicine. Good practice is to have 2 staff members:

• supervising the administration of medication
• checking the information noted on the medication log.

Warnings

Schools must not:

• store or administer painkillers such as aspirin and paracetamol as a standard first aid strategy as they can mask signs and symptoms of serious illness or injury
• allow a student to take their first dose of a new medication at school in case of an allergic reaction – this should be done under the supervision of the parent or carer, or health practitioner
• administer as-needed medication for acute behavioural disturbance as a form of chemical restraint – refer to the Restraint and Seclusion policy
• allow the use of medication by anyone other than the prescribed student.

Note: Only in an emergency situation could this requirement be varied. For example, if a student is having an asthma attack and their own blue reliever puffer is not readily available, one should be obtained and given without delay.

Over-the-counter medications (including paracetamol) require a Medication Authority Form (DOCX), even if the student is carrying or self-administering their medication.

Specialised procedures

For information on responsibilities related to administering specialised medications such as injections or rectal suppository, refer to the Department's policy on Health Care Needs.

Self-administration

Schools should consult with parents or carers, or adult or independent students (and follow up with the student’s medical or health practitioner as required) to determine the age and circumstances in which the student could self-administer their medication.

The school should obtain written permission for the student to carry their medication, from the medical or health practitioner, or the parents or carers, preferably recorded in the Medication Authority Form (DOCX). Note:

• this is not required for students with asthma or anaphylaxis as this is covered under Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA) Action Plan for anaphylaxis and the Asthma Foundation’s Asthma Action Plan for schools
• schools must not permit a student to carry or self-administer a controlled medication or any benzodiazepine at school without staff supervision.

Also, at the principal’s discretion, students can carry their own medication with them, preferably in the original container or packaging, when:

• the medication does not have special storage requirements, such as refrigeration
• doing so does not create potentially unsafe access to the medication by other students.

Storing medication

Schools must take steps to ensure:

• stored medication is within its expiry date
• the quantity of medication available does not exceed a week’s supply, except in long-term continuous care arrangements
• medication is stored:
  • according to the product instructions, particularly in relation to temperature
  • securely, to minimise risk to others
  • in a place only accessible by staff who are responsible for administering the medication
  • away from the classroom
  • away from the first aid kit.

Medication error

If a student takes medicine incorrectly schools must respond in the following way:

• if required, follow first aid procedures outlined in the:
  • student health support plan, or
  • anaphylaxis management plan
• ring the Poisons Information Line 13 11 26 and give details of the incident and student
• act immediately upon their advice, such as calling an ambulance (on 000) immediately if you are advised to do so
• contact the parents or carers or the emergency contact person to notify them of the medication error and action taken
• review medication management procedures at the school in light of the incident.

Definitions

As-needed medication
Medicines ‘PRN’ or ‘pro re nata’ only given as required to relieve chronic symptoms.

Benzodiazepine
A type of medicine. Better Health Channel has a list of benzodiazepines and their common brand names.

Controlled medication
Medicines that can only be prescribed by a limited group of registered health practitioners, including some benzodiazepines, dexamfetamine, methylphenidate (Concerta, Ritalin), medicinal cannabis and opioid pain medication.

First aid medication
Medicines given according to first aid training, including adrenaline devices for general use, and spare salbutamol (Ventolin) puffers.

Emergency medication
Medicines given according to a student’s emergency health or action plan, and may require additional staff training.

Over-the-counter medication
Medicines and supplements that can be bought without a prescription, including alternative medicines.

Related policies

• Asthma
• Anaphylaxis
• Diabetes
• Duty of Care
• Epilepsy and Seizures
• First Aid for Students and Staff
• Health Care Needs
• Restraint and Seclusion