Hampshire and Isle of Wight Asthma Friendly School initiative
Written by AlisonFreemantle on Friday 28th February 2025
Emergency Asthma Inhalers in Schools
From 1 st October 2014, legislation changed to allow schools to purchase salbutamol inhalers, without a prescription, for use in emergencies. This change applies to all primary and secondary schools in the UK.
As part of the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Asthma Friendly School initiative, community pharmacies may receive requests from schools to purchase salbutamol inhalers and compatible spacer devices. These inhalers and spacers will be used in the event of an emergency for children with asthma where parents have provided prior consent.
How to supply?
The school must provide a written request for salbutamol inhalers and spacers specifying the number required (See example on link below).
Pharmacies are not required to provide inhalers or spacers free of charge to schools: the schools must pay for them as a retail item.
Recommended to label them as for emergency use only.
Further supporting information can be viewed here (log in required):
- https://www.rpharms.com/resources/pharmacy-guides/supply-of-salbutamol-inhalers-to-schools
For more information see: Asthma Friendly Schools :: Healthier Together
Email: asthmafriendlyschools@uhs.nhs.uk