Blackburn Primary School Weekly

Health & Wellness

Medications at School

If you keep any medication at school for your child, (eg Epipen, Antihistamine, Panadol), and would like to take it home over the school holidays, please come to the office at the end of school on Friday 16th (or their last day if leaving earlier) to collect it and sign it out. 

 

NO action required if you intend to leave it at school. 

 

If your child is in Grade 6 or not returning to BPS in 2022, you can also collect their medication, allergy or anaphylaxis bags from the office at the end of their last day.

 

Epipens and Temperature Control

from Allergy & Anaphylaxis Australia:

Many individuals, parents and caregivers are concerned about the stability of adrenaline (epinephrine) in temperatures over 25°C. The Australian climate often takes us beyond 25°C and many people contact Allergy & Anaphylaxis Australia (A&AA) with queries on maintaining temperature of the adrenaline (epinephrine) injector (such as EpiPen®, Anapen®) when they are away from home or when they work outside (e.g. farmer, postman or courier).

 

It is important to do your best to keep your adrenaline injector between 15 and 25°C most of the time. Obviously weather conditions in Australia are challenging but our aim is to minimise the amount of time the device is outside this temperature range.

 

Remember:

  • Adrenaline is light sensitive and so potency (strength) may degrade if exposed to prolonged sun exposure.
  • The ideal condition for storage is approximately 25°C.
  • Do NOT refrigerate or freeze as it can affect the mechanics of the injector.
  • Do NOT keep below 10°C or above 25°C for prolonged periods of time.

Helpful guidelines for temperature management of adrenaline injector:

  • Always keep your adrenaline injector away from direct sunlight.
  • If outdoors on a hot day, try to keep it in the shade.
  • If you know you are going to be out in the sun for an extended time on a hot day (e.g. at the beach, camping or at a sporting event or when working outside) consider purchasing a MedActiv Easybag which can help maintain the adrenaline injector at the correct temperature for up to 5 days. We have some available for sale at school.
  • Do NOT store your adrenaline injector in your car.
  • Do keep it wherever you would prefer to be on a hot day i.e. inside the house, inside the classroom or office or in the shade if you are outside and there is no easily accessible indoor area to keep it.

Do NOT put it in the fridge, next to an ice pack or on ice, although placed in a small esky with cool drinks can also help keep it cool on a very hot day.