Express Scripts’ Ask the Pharmacist: Back-to-School Tips

September 11, 2015

If your child has a chronic medical condition such as asthma or diabetes, your back-to-school preparation involves more than new backpacks and glue sticks.

Many of you have been busy these past few weeks getting your kids ready for the school year. If your child is one of the 6.5 million kids in the U.S. being treated for a chronic medical condition such as asthma or diabetes, your preparation involves far more than simply school supplies.

Medication adherence, like so many other good habits, starts at an early age. Making sure children understand the importance of proper therapy now can help put them on the road to healthier choices.

If your child uses prescription medications during school hours, here are some tips to help keep them safe and adherent to their therapy:

Know your school’s rules: Who is allowed to administer medication, and who fills in if the person is absent? Is your child allowed to carry the medicine and take it without supervision?

Provide clear instructions: Prepare a typed list of all medications with warnings and storage requirements. Also include an action plan school staff can refer to in an emergency. Make sure your child, his/her teachers, and the appropriate school administrator have current copies.

Know how your child will receive the medication: Will your child be expected to report to a certain place at a certain time, or will he/she be called to do so? What is the policy for field trips?

Keep your child informed: Your child should be aware of the basics of his/her condition — signs of an allergic reaction, a flare-up, or side effects of the medication. Your child should know proper dosages and be aware of when and how often he/she is supposed to take it.

Keep tabs on the supply: If the medication will be stored at school, check often to ensure there is an adequate supply so there are no missed doses. Make sure the medication stays in its original container and label.

A.M. game plan: School mornings can be hectic, so try to integrate the morning dose into the morning routine. Also have a back-up plan in place if that morning dose is missed and your child needs to take it at school.

If you have questions about your prescription drug coverage, you can get the answers by visiting www.express-scripts.com or by calling the number on the back of your member ID card.