All medication administered during the school day follows the Needham Public Schools medication policy and is framed and governed by Massachusetts Department of Public Health Regulations.

If your child needs a medication during the school day, we ask that all parents/guardians please act promptly to follow this policy, so that the medicine can be administered as soon as possible.

The medication authorization and consent forms must be completed in ink and be on file in the NHS Health Office before any medication is administered.

• All medications, prescription, or over the counter medications, require a physician’s order and completed parental permission form, or the medication cannot be given.

• All medication orders expire at the end of the school year. Medication orders must be renewed at the beginning of each school year.

• Non-prescription medication (over-the-counter) will be handled the same way as prescription medication.

• Whenever possible, medication administration should be scheduled at times other than during school hours.

• All medication must be delivered to the Health Office by the student’s parent/guardian, or a designated adult.

• Students are not permitted to bring medications to school.

• Only a thirty (30) day supply of medication will be accepted at any time.

• All medication must be delivered in a correctly labeled pharmacy or manufacturer’s medication container.  (Medications are not accepted in containers such as plastic bags.)

• The pharmacy-labeled container can be used in lieu of a physician’s order only in the case of short-term medications, i.e., those medications to be given for ten(10) school days or less. If the school nurse has a question about the medication, she/he may request a licensed prescriber’s order.

• Self-medication may be allowed under certain circumstances after consultation with the school nurse, and with the completion of required authorization forms by both a student's parent/guardian and prescribing physician.  

• If a medication needs to be given during a school sponsored event such as a field trip, the school nurse must be contacted in advance in order to allow time   to make special arrangements prior to the outing.

• A parent may retrieve the medicine from the school at any time.

• All medications must be picked up by a parent/guardian, before the close of the school year.  Any medications that are not picked up by the close of school will be destroyed.

   Physician's Authorization for Dispensing Medication

   Parental Authorization of Medication

   Diabetes Management Plan
   Diabetic School Supply