California Sends FREE Asthma Inhalers to ALL Schools

SACRAMENTO – Gov.  Gavin Newsom Aug. 20 announced a major expansion of CalRx® that will put free, life-saving asthma medication directly into 10,000 California schools. California is partnering with Amneal Pharmaceuticals to launch the School Albuterol Access Initiative, creating a simple statewide system to supply public and charter schools with emergency albuterol inhalers and spacers at no cost for three years — starting next week.

About 1 million kids in California have asthma, and 1 in 3 with active symptoms miss at least a week of school every year.

Albuterol, also known as a rescue inhaler, relaxes the muscles around the airways in the lungs to treat sudden breathing issues and can avert emergencies and emergency room visits. The 2025–26 California budget included funding to supply California’s public, charter and transitional kindergarten through grade 12 (TK–12) schools with a free, annual emergency stock of two 90-microgram-per-actuation albuterol metered-dose inhalers and 25 single-use disposable spacers, which help deliver the albuterol more effectively, for three years. Private schools may purchase products for $9.50 per inhaler — saving up to 80% off the cash price — and $93.75 per 25-pack of spacers, a 35% savings (plus sales tax and shipping fees). All schools will be able to purchase additional refills at the same CalRx® price.

Asthma is one of the leading causes of school absenteeism. This initiative is a significant step in keeping our kids safe and in class — offering schools access to the resources they need to keep kids safe, and providing on-site resources like this helps keep kids from missing valuable classroom time.

To support implementation, CalRx® is partnering with the California School Nurses Organization (CSNO) to provide asthma and stock albuterol training guidelines to public school districts at no cost. The training includes techniques for recognizing symptoms of respiratory distress, protocols for the emergency use of an albuterol inhaler in an educational setting, and follow-up procedures for calling 911 and notifying parents or guardians. Private schools may access it at their own cost ($45 for CSNO members and $200 for non-CSNO members). CDPH and CalRx® will host a statewide webinar on Aug. 25, for California’s TK–12 school community to learn more about this initiative and how to access these free products.

Details: School entities interested in applying for the albuterol standing order can visit the CDPH website or contact SafeSchoolsTeam@cdph.ca.gov for more information.