The Dedham Public Schools Medication Policy complies with the state guidelines which are available for review at the Massachusetts Department of Public Health website.  The following are some important highlights of our policy: 

• We encourage that medication be administered before and after school hours, if possible.
• All medications, prescription or over‐the‐counter, require a physician’s order and a completed parental permission form.    
• Medication will not be administered until documentation is complete and received by the school nurse.  A new medication order from the physician is required for all dose changes.  All required forms are available on the Health Services website.   
• All medication orders expire at the end of each school year. 
• All medication must be delivered to the school nurse in a correctly labeled pharmacy or manufacturer’s medication container by a parent/guardian or responsible adult. Medications will not be accepted in containers such as plastic bags.   
• Students are not permitted to bring medication into school. 
• Medication must be picked up at the end of each school year.  Medication not picked up by the close of the school year will be destroyed. 

For short‐term medications, i.e., those requiring administration for ten school days or fewer, the pharmacy‐labeled container may be used in lieu of a licensed prescriber's order; if the nurse has a question, she may request a licensed prescriber's order. 

After consultation with the school nurse and development of a plan, students who fall into the following categories may self‐administer medication: 

• Students with asthma or other respiratory diseases may possess and self‐administer prescription inhalers 

• Students with life‐threatening allergies may possess and administer prescription epinephrine via an auto‐injector. 

• Students with cystic fibrosis may possess and administer prescription enzyme supplements 

• Students with diabetes may possess and administer a glucose monitoring test and insulin delivery system.