Bill urges schools to stock anti-allergy drug

[The Straight Story]

WASHINGTON (AP) — The House on Tuesday passed legislation aimed at helping schools better prepare for severe, sometimes life-threatening, allergic reactions caused by eating peanuts or other food products.

The measure would give grant preferences to states that come up with policies to make epinephrine, a drug used to treat anaphylactic shock, available in schools. It would also encourage schools to permit trained administrators to administer epinephrine to students believed to be having an anaphylactic reaction and require states to review their liability laws to ensure that administrators have adequate legal protections when they come to the aid of students.

The bill, passed by voice vote, was sponsored by Rep. Phil Roe, a Tennessee Republican and doctor, and Rep. Steny Hoyer of Maryland, the House's second-ranked Democrat.

"My granddaughter has a severe peanut allergy, and the presence of EpiPens (epinephrine) in schools can be lifesaving," Hoyer said.


http://bigstory.ap.org/article/bill-urges-schools-stock-anti-allergy-drug

[elleng]

1. Gotta permit administration of Epi-Pen.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epinephrine_autoinjector

Hope they do it.