At times it may be necessary for your child to receive medication during the school day. For the safety of all students, the HCPS Department of School Health Services strictly enforces the Henrico County Public Schools medication policy. Please do not ask the school nurse or clinic attendant to make an exception to the policy.

• All prescription and over-the-counter medications (including cough drops, acetaminophen, ibuprofen and cold and cough preparations) must be administered by the school nurse or clinic attendant in the school clinic.

• All medication must be in the original, unopened bottle.

• A parent or guardian must transport any needed medications to school. They cannot be sent with the child.

• Written parental permission on the appropriate form is required before any medication may be administered. Forms are available at the school clinic and at the links below.

  • Download the prescribed medication form.

  • Download the over-the-counter medication form.

It is highly recommended that inhaled asthma medication be administered in the school clinic so the school nurse can assess the child’s breathing and monitor his or her response to the medication. The following conditions must be met in order to possess and self-administer inhaled asthma medications:

• Written parental consent that the student may self-administer inhaled asthma medications must be on file with the school.

• A physician’s order and signature on a prescribed medication form must be on file at school stating the diagnosis of asthma and approving the self-administration of inhaled asthma medications. The frequency and circumstances, which may warrant its use and attesting to the student’s demonstrated ability to safely and effectively self-administer the medication.

• An individualized health care plan must be prepared for any life-threatening conditions and include emergency procedure (Download the Asthma Action Plan Form). The inhaler must be properly labeled by the pharmacy.

• Permission to self-administer asthma medications will be effective for one school year and must be renewed annually.

• Permission may be limited or revoked after appropriate school staff members consult with the student’s parents.

It is highly recommended that students with prescriptions for auto-injectable epinephrine keep both doses in the school clinic in event of an anaphylactic episode occurs during the school day. School nurses and clinic attendants are trained to assess and respond to severe allergic reactions that required immediate injection of emergency medications. The following conditions must be met in order to possess and self-administer auto-injectable epinephrine:

• Written parental consent that the student may self-administer auto-injectable epinephrine must be on file with the school.

• A physician’s order and signature on a Prescribed Medication Form must be on file at school stating the diagnosis of anaphylaxis and approving the self-administration of auto-injectable epinephrine. The frequency and circumstances that may warrant its use and attesting to the student’s demonstrated ability to safely and effectively self-administer the medication.

• An individualized health care plan Emergency Allergy Action Plan must be prepared for any life-threatening conditions, and include emergency procedures, 

• The auto-injectable epinephrine must be properly labeled by the pharmacy. Permission to self-administer auto-injectable epinephrine will be effective for one school year and must be renewed annually. Permission may be limited or revoked after appropriate school staff members consult with the student’s parents.