Over the past few years, we have observed a marked increase in the number of medication (meds) administered by our Health Center staff. We have moved away from accepting conventional pill bottles and request that where possible all prescription medications come to camp in multidose packaging. This policy hopes to support a safer and more efficient process of medication delivery, and reduced wait times during check in for our camp families. We thank you in advance for your cooperation.

What is a multidose blister pack?

A multidose blister pack is essentially a card with plastic pouches (blisters), in which the pharmacy conveniently packages prescribed pills by “batches” based on time of administration (not type of medication). 

What is multi-dose strip packaging?

This type of packaging consists of individually sealed bags commonly packaged in strips, in which the pharmacy conveniently packages all medication in pill form by “batches”, based on time of administration (not type of medication).

In either case, the multidose packaging must be prepared by a pharmacy, just as regular prescription bottles. We cannot accept single or unit dose blister cards in which each individual medication has its own separate blister card. Please instruct your pharmacy wherever possible to combine or batch medications in to one blister pack by time of administration instead of type of medication. If your pharmacy does not participate in multi-dose packaging seek a temporary alternative pharmacy who allows for your insurance and for multidose packaging.

To ensure an easy transition to multidose packaging, please contact your pharmacy as soon as possible to confirm what is needed to make this change. Most pharmacies will require your request and/or prescriptions a minimum of two months in advance, so please ACT NOW. Remember, medications are filled in monthly increments, so extra time will be needed to make this change in packaging.

Exceptions to multidose packaging:

We will continue to accept required prescription topicals, liquids, creams, lotions, drops, inhalers, nebulizers, insulin and EpiPens, as long as they are labeled by the pharmacy.

We will accept prescribed PRN (as needed) medications such as migraine medications in their original packaging; however, we will only accept the amount that is expected to be used while at camp Note: Our health center stocks PRN OTC medications. These can be administered on an ‘as needed’ basis (see the Medical Permissions Form for further details).

We will accept controlled medications (Class II) in original pharmacy labelled packaging, only when the pharmacy is unable to include them in to multidose packing, or, when these medications are only used on an as needed basis. We will only accept the number of pills required for the duration of camp. Please ensure these items come in a pharmacy labelled pill bottle.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

My camper doesn’t take a lot of medication, is this necessary?

Yes, blister packed medication increases the safe administration of medication and the efficiency of the Health Center. Your cooperation with this policy is respectfully requested.

Who do I contact, my physician or my pharmacy?

Your pharmacy - For ease, present this information to your pharmacist. They will confirm if you need to contact your physician for new prescriptions.

What if I don’t pack my prescription medication in multidose packaging?

We can only accept pharmacy labelled pill bottles in certain circumstances. The only exceptions are prescribed PRN (as needed) medications, and certain controlled class II medications. Only in extraordinary circumstances, and at the discretion of the Nurse Manager will we accept medication in pill bottles. There will be a charge of $100 for each prescription. This charge will be incurred, and must be paid, no later than check in day.

What about controlled or Class II medications (for example, Adderall, Oxycodone, etc)?

Some medications are not allowed to be packaged in multidose packs, in this case, we will accept only the number of pills that are to be administered during camp. Medication must be in the original prescription bottle showing the pharmacy label.

My camper only takes vitamins, and seasonal allergy medication, is this necessary?

For campers taking vitamins, supplements, or over the counter (OTC) medications, which are not required on a daily basis, consider holding them for the short duration of camp. Please refer to your online Medical Form, for a complete list of PRN OTC medications that we provide.

Do you accept single unit-dose (medication) packaging?

We will NOT accept single-unit-dose blister packs in which each individual medication has its own blister pack. Please instruct your pharmacy to combine or ‘batch’ medications in to one blister pack by time of administration instead of type of medication.

My pharmacy doesn’t provide this service, what should I do?

If your pharmacy does not provide multi-dose blister packaging make some inquiries with other pharmacies. If your pharmacy does not participate in multi-dose packaging seek a temporary alternative pharmacy who allows for your insurance and for multidose packaging.