Since 1 October 2014, the Human Medicines (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2014 have allowed eligible schools across the UK to purchase and hold emergency salbutamol inhalers without a prescription. These inhalers may be used in an emergency for pupils with asthma, or those who have been prescribed a reliever inhaler, when their own inhaler is unavailable, empty, damaged or otherwise unusable.
The legislation applies to eligible primary and secondary schools throughout the UK. However, schools are not required to keep an emergency inhaler; the regulations simply give them the legal authority to do so if they choose. Only the educational settings specified in the Regulations are permitted to obtain and hold emergency salbutamol inhalers.
Eligible settings include:
- Maintained primary and secondary schools
- Academies
- Free schools
- Independent schools
- Pupil referral units
The legislation does not apply to nurseries, pre-schools, childminders or other childcare settings.
The government guidance for schools on the safe use of emergency salbutamol inhalers covers:
- The legal framework for emergency asthma inhalers in schools
- Which pupils are eligible to receive an emergency inhaler
- Purchasing, storing, maintaining and disposing of emergency inhalers and spacers
- Recognising the signs and symptoms of an asthma attack
- Responding to an asthma emergency, including when to call 999
- Staff responsibilities, training and competency
- Record keeping and informing parents following use of an emergency inhaler
- Example consent forms and parent notification letters that schools can adapt for local use
Click the link below to view the most recent guidance.