The statewide California initiative aims to reduce emergency room visits and school absenteeism by equipping 10,000 schools with asthma inhalers.
RT’s Three Key Takeaways:
- Emergency Medication Access: California is launching an initiative to provide free albuterol inhalers and spacers to 10,000 public and charter schools to treat students during respiratory emergencies.
- Prescription Requirement Removal: A statewide standing order signed by the state public health officer allows schools to obtain emergency asthma medication without individual physician prescriptions.
- Impact on Absenteeism: The program aims to support the 1 million children in California with asthma, a condition that causes one-third of symptomatic students to miss at least a week of school annually.
California is launching a statewide initiative to provide free albuterol inhalers and spacers to 10,000 public and charter schools to treat students during respiratory emergencies, according to Governor Gavin Newsom.
The move is a major expansion of the CalRx program that will provide free asthma medication to 10,000 schools across California, according to the governor’s office. The state is partnering with Amneal Pharmaceuticals to launch the School Albuterol Access Initiative, a system designed to supply public and charter schools with emergency albuterol inhalers and spacers at no cost for three years.
“No child should be left gasping for air because their school doesn’t have an inhaler. This initiative lets us all breathe easier by equipping schools with the right tools to respond to potentially life-threatening asthma attacks. Many kids may have undiagnosed or poorly managed asthma — with free CalRx albuterol, every kid can focus in class and have fun on the playground without fear,” said Governor Gavin Newsom.
Approximately 1 million children in California have asthma, and one in three students with active symptoms miss at least one week of school every year. Albuterol, a rescue medication, relaxes the muscles around the airways to treat sudden breathing issues, which can prevent emergency room visits.
The 2025–26 California budget included funding to provide public, charter, and transitional kindergarten through grade 12 (TK–12) schools with an annual stock of two 90-microgram-per-actuation albuterol metered-dose inhalers and 25 single-use disposable spacers. Private schools may purchase the inhalers for $9.50 each and spacers for $93.75 per 25-pack, which represents a significant discount from market prices, according to the release.
“Expanding access to this essential treatment will make California schools safer, reduce health disparities, and give students with asthma greater security to learn, play, and thrive,” said kesa bruce, director of advocacy, American Lung Association, in a news release.
To streamline the process, a statewide albuterol standing order has been signed by Dr Erica Pan, California Department of Public Health (CDPH) director and state public health officer. This order eliminates the requirement for individual schools to obtain prescriptions from private physicians.
“As a pediatrician and the parent of a child with asthma, I know how frightening it can be when a child needs an inhaler at school and doesn’t have one available,” said Eric Ball, MD, chair of the American Academy of Pediatrics, California. “No parent should have to worry that a preventable gap in access could become an emergency.”
Read more: Half of Teachers Unaware of Asthma Inhaler Laws
Implementation of the program includes training guidelines provided by the California School Nurses Organization (CSNO). The training covers recognizing symptoms of respiratory distress, protocols for emergency inhaler use, and follow-up procedures for emergency services and parental notification.
“Providing access to quick-relief medications, with appropriate training for school staff, is a critical component of a comprehensive approach to improving asthma outcomes,” said Anne Kelsey Lamb, director, Regional Asthma Management & Prevention.
The American Lung Association cheered the move.
“The American Lung Association applauds California for leading the way in protecting children and adults experiencing respiratory distress in schools. This first-of-its-kind effort to provide free rescue inhalers to all public schools in the state will ensure that virtually all children in K-12 public schools will have access to this lifesaving medication,” said Harold Wimmer, president and CEO of the American Lung Association.
“In addition, it is very encouraging that the state prioritized the health of children by including this in the state budget for the next three years and by offering training for school staff. This comprehensive plan offers a model for other states who are looking to protect the health of children with asthma or kids who are experiencing respiratory distress at school,” he said.
