Allow pharmacist-supervised over-the-counter access to asthma reliever inhalers
Ask the MHRA to review the prescription-only status of asthma reliever inhalers and invite licence holders to apply for reclassification to pharmacy (P) status, allowing faster, safer access under pharmacist supervision
Signatures
6
signatures
Government response threshold (10,000) · 6/10,000
Debate threshold (100,000) · 6/100,000
- 18 NOV 2025Petition rejectedirrelevant
We can only accept petitions about things the Government or Parliament are directly responsible for. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is the organisation responsible for deciding whether a medication is classified as over-the-counter or prescription-only, not the UK Government or Parliament.
- 09 OCT 2025Petition created
Background
In the UK, short-acting asthma reliever inhalers are prescription-only, patients must obtain a GP appointment for each supply. This can be dangerous for those with breathlessness or who run out unexpectedly.
Evidence from the MHRA, NICE, and Asthma + Lung UK shows that short-acting agonists such as salbutamol are safe and effective when used as directed. Reclassification to (P) status would allow supply under pharmacist supervision, with safeguards red-flag screening and referral to a GP.