Ministry: Kindergartens forbidden to give kids drugs without permission  

兩部委：任何單位或個人不得擅自組織幼兒群體服藥

(ECNS) -- A notification released Monday states that no organizations or individuals are allowed to administer drugs to children without permission, according to the official website of the Ministry of Education on Tuesday.

Jointly released by the Ministry of Education and the National Health and Family Planning Commission, the notification comes after recent revelations that several kindergartens had been feeding prescription antiviral drugs to healthy kids.

Authorities have been ordered to strengthen management of health services for children in kindergartens, primary schools and middle schools.

According to the notification, when schools and kindergartens give drugs to children to prevent common diseases, they should abide by five "musts":

1. They must get authorized therapeutic schedules made by medical experts at public hospitals above the county level.

2. Sanitation authorities above the county level must consult with education departments at the same level to reach an agreement and draw up detailed plans.

3. Children and parents must be informed and choose to take the drugs of their own volition.

4. There must be medical experts to offer on-the-spot guidance when students take medicines.

5. Drugs offered to students must be purchased from reliable sources with authorized certificates.

Education and health authorities have ordered the screening of schools nationwide to investigate whether there are still schools engaging in illegal activity.

The result of the investigation should be reported to the Ministry of Education and the National Health and Family Planning Commission before April 15.