For those of you having problems purchasing inhalers from independent pharmacists in the UK who may not be aware of the recent changes to the use of inhalers in schools.
I have attached a copy of the document you need to show them and please refer them to this section below which appears on page 12.
‘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 1st 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, and • the total quantity required.
The Department of Health has also consulted on draft non-statutory guidance to support schools in England in their management of inhalers, and has revised this to take on board comments received from respondents. It is hoped that the current draft guidance (published simultaneously with this response) covers the major implementation issues raised in the consultation. DH will continue to refine the guidance in the light of any further comments received – particularly from schools as they implement the new arrangements.
As devolved administrations, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland will have respective responsibility for issuing guidance for their schools’.
Department_of_Health_response_to_asthma_consultation
Hope this helps
PK