Ensuring access to albuterol in California’s TK-12 schools
School Albuterol Access Initiative
In partnership with the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and Amneal Pharmaceuticals, CalRx® is launching a centralized ordering system for California’s 10,000 public and charter TK–12 schools to obtain an emergency stock of albuterol metered-dose inhalers and single-use disposable spacers at no cost for three years beginning August 25, 2026. Products will be shipped directly to county offices of education, school districts, or school sites as authorized by the CDPH albuterol standing order. Private schools may order products at their own cost. After three years, the system will remain accessible for schools to continue ordering products directly from Amneal.
CalRx® is also partnering with the California School Nurses Organization to provide asthma and stock albuterol training guidelines to California’s public TK–12 school districts for free, which includes:
- Techniques for recognizing symptoms of respiratory distress
- Protocols for the emergency use of an albuterol inhaler in a school setting
- Follow-up procedures for calling 911 and notifying parents/guardians
CDPH and CalRx® will host a statewide webinar on August 25, 2026, for California’s TK-12 school community to learn more about this initiative and how to access these free products. This webinar is highly recommended for California school administrator, school nurses, and local health department staff.
For information about the CDPH albuterol standing order process, please visit https://standingorders.cdph.ca.gov/ or contact SafeSchoolsTeam@cdph.ca.gov.
Our school has obtained the California Department of Public Health’s (CDPH) albuterol standing order. How do we order albuterol inhaler and spacer products for free from CalRx?
Starting August 25, 2026, California’s public and charter TK–12 schools may order two albuterol inhalers and 25 single-use disposable spacers for free, once per year for three years under the CDPH albuterol standing order.
Is there a cost to schools and, if so, how much for ordering albuterol inhaler and spacer products from CalRx?
CalRx is supplying two albuterol inhalers and 25 spacers for free to each participating public and charter TK–12 school, once per year for three years under the CDPH standing order. Schools may order additional refills at the low price of $9.50 per inhaler and $93.75 per 25-pack of spacers (plus sales tax and shipping fees).
Are private schools able to order albuterol inhaler and spacer products from CalRx?
Per California Education Code section 49414.7(c), private schools cannot receive State funds for purposes of supplying emergency stock albuterol inhalers and single-use disposable spacers. Private schools may order these products from CalRx at their own cost under the CDPH albuterol standing order.
Are childcare programs, including preschools, able to order albuterol inhaler and spacer products from CalRx?
Senate Bill (SB) 1347 proposes to authorize childcare programs operated by or under contract with a local education agency to provide emergency stock albuterol inhalers and spacers under California Education Code section 49414.7. However, albuterol is not currently FDA-approved for use under the age of 4, and this proposed bill would require updated regulations and training standards to be set forth by the California Department of Education. For these reasons, CalRx is not offering products to childcare programs at this time.
Does my school need an albuterol standing order?
Yes. The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) issues the albuterol standing order. Participating TK–12 schools, school districts, and/or county offices of education must apply for the standing order to obtain albuterol inhalers and spacers from CalRx. For questions regarding the standing order process, please contact SafeSchoolsTeam@cdph.ca.gov.
How do school districts access the California School Nurses Organization’s (CSNO) asthma and stock albuterol training guidelines for free through CalRx?
To support implementation, CalRx is providing CSNO’s asthma and stock albuterol training guidelines to TK–12 public school districts for free here.
Can private schools access CSNO’s asthma and stock albuterol training guidelines?
Private schools may purchase CSNO’s asthma and stock albuterol training guidelines at their own cost here.
What is the procedure for a school to implement a stock albuterol program?
California Education Code section 49414.7 authorizes local education agencies to obtain and utilize an emergency stock supply of albuterol inhalers and single-use disposable spacers. Additionally, the California Department of Education (CDE) has published minimum training standards for the administration of stock albuterol inhalers in school settings.
Are other emergency medications besides albuterol offered by CalRx for schools?
CalRx® naloxone is also available for schools to purchase.
California is helping kids breathe easier and stay safe in school