Henderson County Schools is notifying families of an important policy update issued by the Kentucky Department of Education regarding the administration of over-the-counter (OTC) medications in all school settings.
Effective with the 2025–2026 school year, no OTC medications—such as ibuprofen, acetaminophen, antacids, or cough drops—may be administered to students unless the school has:
A written order from a licensed medical provider, and
A signed consent form from a parent or guardian.
This statewide regulation is part of an ongoing initiative to enhance student safety and standardize health procedures across Kentucky schools.
In addition, no more than a 30-day supply of any medication may be delivered to the school at one time. Due to limited secure storage space, large bulk containers (such as 200-count bottles of Tylenol) will not be accepted.
To help families prepare, Henderson County Schools has made the required Medication Permission Form available online. The form is not valid unless it includes both the healthcare provider’s signature and the parent or guardian’s signature.
Parents and guardians are encouraged to discuss this new requirement with their child’s healthcare provider during upcoming wellness visits or routine check-ups to ensure a smooth transition into the new school year.
Order/consent forms need to be completed for both OTC and RX medications.
For additional information or questions, please contact your school nurse or building administrator.