Emergency salbutamol inhalers in schools

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From 1/10/14 there will be a change in the law to allow schools to hold emergency salbutamol inhalers. The government laid before Parliament on 18 July 2014 the Human Medicines (Amendment No. 2) Regulations 2014.

These regulations amend the Human Medicines Regulations 2012, to allow schools to hold stocks of asthma inhalers containing salbutamol for use in an emergency. These regulations come into effect on 1 October 2014.

From this date onwards, schools can buy inhalers and spacers (the plastic funnels which make it easier to deliver asthma medicine to the lungs) from a pharmaceutical supplier in small quantities provided it is done on an occasional basis and is not for profit.

A supplier will need a request signed by the principal or head teacher (ideally on appropriately headed paper) stating:

  • the name of the school for which the product is required
  • the purpose for which that product is required
  • the total quantity required

ref. Supplying asthma inhalers to schools for emergency use – Consultations – GOV.UK