Limits on laypersons on assisting with medication

[Guest guest]

This question came from another list, but there was no definitive

answer, so I'll bring it up here (where we're NEVER short of answers!).

As EMS professionals, our administration or medication, or even

assisting with administration of medications, are governed by protocols

and medical direction. And a lot of that is written into the EMS rules

and regulations that apply only to EMS personnel.

But what about laypersons? What is the limit on laypersons giving

another person a non-prescription drug " here, have an aspirin " ? And

what about assisting in an emergency with a prescrption drug that has

already been prescribed for the victim ( " here, let me help you with that

epi-pen " or " do you have a pill for that? Here, take your medicine " ?

This comes up in the context of a first aid provider helping with

something like an epi-pen that has been prescribed by a physician. But

there is a bit of confusion about the case of the OTC drugs too.

Steve

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Steve LP RIT

AlertCPR Emergency Training Center

1400 Moccassin Trl, Suite 12

ville, TX 75077