My son's school is very clear to parents that if you child needs any med, you have to send them in with a note. It's not that hard and the school is very up front and clear about the requirements. It's the state law, not the school's policy. I'm assuming that that is probably the same case here. The parents really should have known.
My son has migraines and can't take regular tylenol, so we make sure that we send in liquid tylenol for him. Just put the bottle in a plastic baggie with a note. Not difficult.
I kept excedrine in my backpack, because tylenol was worthless for migraines. I also kept an inhaler. However, my father wrote a letter to the nurse. Didn’t hurt that he’s a doctor.