POINT PLEASANT — Because many local students take daily medications, the Mason County Board of Education has approved a revamped policy on how those medicines are administered at school.

According to the policy, Mason County Schools will follow the West Virginia State Board of Education Medication Administration Policy with several guidelines for non-prescription, prescription and emergency medications.

Non-prescription drugs such as aspirin or cold medicine can be administered by the school administrator or designee upon completion of an accredited CPR and first-aid class. School nurses will not be able to administer any over-the-counter medication.

Students in grades ninth through 12th may carry and self-administer non-prescription medication as long as the original container has a parent authorization label attached to it. Also, an appropriate measuring teaspoon, dropper or calibrated cup for dispensing liquid medications must be provided by the parent, and no more than three doses may be carried in the labeled container if the student carries medication with him or her.

In addition, students will not be allowed to share medication with any other student.

Prescription medication will be administered by the school nurse with physician authorization. Medications also can be administered by the school administrator or designee under the supervision of the school health nurse upon completion of an accredited CPR and first-aid class and completion of medication administration training conducted by a certified school nurse.

Emergency medications such as Epi-pen, asthma inhalers and Glucagon may be carried by the student with a physician’s authorization and approval of the school nurse. Each student will be required to complete a return demonstration to the school nurse and be able to discuss symptoms experienced when the medication is needed, proper storage of medication and actions to take if the medication is ineffective.

The Mason County School Health Service, including the certified school nurses and the physicians contracted by the Mason County Board of Education, will annually review and prepare the Mason County School Health Manual and forms to be utilized in all the local schools.