PETITIONRejectedPetition · petition.parliament.uk
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
Last fetched 03 May 2026 · petition.parliament.uk
Signatures
6
signatures
Government response threshold (10,000) · 6/10,000
Debate threshold (100,000) · 6/100,000
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.