Autumn is back to school time. Whether your child is returning to school or going for the first time, here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Keep good records of your child’s medical history. Be sure to include everything from immunizations to medicine allergies or side effects. Update those records every 6 to 12 months.
- Give the school nurse or child care worker the names and phone numbers of your child’s doctors or other health care workers.
- If your child needs to take medicine at school or day care, you will need to fill out and sign a “Medication Permission Form.” This form should include details about how and when to give the medicine.
- Always keep medicines in the original, childproof containers. You can ask the pharmacy to divide the medicine into two containers if your child needs a supply at school and at home.
As a parent, you are the one who must make sure your child gets his medicines at the right times and in the right amounts. So, you should give clear instructions to the school nurse or day care worker, if your child needs medicine during the school day.
To learn more about sending medicines to school, please talk to your child’s doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
Shane Cross, PharmD, St. Jude Pharmaceutical Services
Adapted from St. Jude Parents Newsletter