Illinois schools authorized to keep medication on hand to treat students' respiratory distress

The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) Director Dr. Sameer Vohra has signed a standing order allowing trained personnel in Illinois schools to use “undesignated” asthma inhalers on hand to treat students who develop respiratory distress. Undesignated medications are those that are not prescribed for a specific student but can be used in an emergency to address any student’s symptoms related to asthma or other respiratory issues.

This order provides the prescription necessary so that every school in the state can have and use this critical medication for asthma attacks at school. Prior...