Medications in Ohio Schools

Schools can directly impact a student's readiness to learn by having the tools to administer medication in the school setting. During school and school-sponsored activities, students may require medication for the following reasons: 

  • Chronic Conditions: Conditions lasting one year or more, such as asthma or diabetes, that may affect their ability to participate in class activities. 
  • Acute Conditions: Conditions that may require temporary medication, such as an antibiotic for an infection; or
  • Emergency Situations: Scenarios that might require immediate medication, such as a rescue inhaler for asthma, epinephrine for a food allergy, glucagon for a diabetic emergency, or naloxone for an overdose. 

Medication Policy

Ohio law states that public schools and chartered nonpublic schools shall adopt policies on the authority of their employees to administer both prescription and over-the-counter medications to students when acting in situations other than those governed by sections noted in Ohio law.

Districts or school medication administration policies should align with state and federal laws, regulations, standards, training requirements and the including Ohio law that applies to nurses. Comprehensive policies could include guidelines for prescription medications, over-the-counter medications, and emergency medications.

The board of education or governing authority of a chartered nonpublic school may designate a person or persons to perform any function or functions in connection with the prescription or over-the-counter drug policy either by name or by position, training, qualifications, or similar distinguishing factors.

Prescription Medications

Ohio law states the board of education of public schools and the governing authority of each chartered nonpublic school shall adopt a policy on the authority of its employees to administer medications to students. 

Only staff designated by the board or governing authority who are either licensed health professionals or who have completed a drug administration training program conducted by a licensed health professional are authorized to administer prescription medications to a student at school. 

Schools and districts should review Ohio law to ensure they are meeting all requirements for prescription medication in a school setting. Ohio law includes details on components of written requests, how the drug should arrive at school, prescription drug storage, who is permitted to administer prescription medication, and parent agreements to submit a revised statement by the prescriber.

Over-the-Counter Medications

Effective March 20, boards of education of each city, local, exempted village, and joint vocational school district and governing authorities of chartered nonpublic schools must adopt a policy related to the administration of over-the-counter medications when acting in situations other than those governed Ohio law.

Policies may include whether the school will authorize employees to administer over-the-counter medications and whether the permission of a parent or legal guardian will be required before an employee may administer the over-the-counter medication.

Stock Emergency Medications

Schools and districts can prepare for emergency situations through procurement of emergency medications. For further information, review the topics linked below: 

Student Possession of Emergency Medication

Ohio laws allow for students to self-possess emergency medication such as epinephrine, inhalers, diabetic medications, and seizure medication. This self-possession can occur if the following guidelines have been met:

  • The student has the written approval of the prescriber of the medication and, if the student is a minor, the written approval of the parent, guardian, or other person having care or charge of the student; and
  • The prescriber's written approval includes all the elements required in Ohio law for the type of medication to be carried by the student while at school and school sponsored events.

Training

The Ohio Department of Health provides opportunities for school nurses to assist them in training staff on medication administration and use.

School nurses can search the Ohio Train website for the trainings specific trainings identified below.

  • 1127243- Train-the-Trainer in OH Schools Medication Administration Part 1
  • 1127245- Train-the-Trainer in OH Schools Medication Administration Part 2
  • 1127246- Train-the-Trainer in OH Schools Medication Administration Part 3

Resources 

Last Modified: 4/14/2025 3:27:34 PM