California sends FREE life-saving asthma inhalers to ALL schools
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Aug 20, 2026

California sends FREE life-saving asthma inhalers to ALL schools

What you need to know: In a nationwide first, Governor Newsom is making emergency asthma medication FREE and available at public and charter schools across the state. Through CalRx®, California will provide emergency albuterol inhalers and spacers at no cost for three years — helping schools respond immediately when a child is struggling to breathe.

SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom today 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.

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.

Governor Gavin Newsom

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.

"The American Lung Association applauds Governor Newsom and the State of California for taking this important step to protect the health of students by providing albuterol inhalers to schools at no cost," said Kesa Bruce, Director of Advocacy, American Lung Association. "For a child experiencing an asthma emergency, immediate access to albuterol can be lifesaving, and this initiative will help ensure that a student's ability to breathe safely at school does not depend on where they live or their family's ability to afford medication. 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."

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.

"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 Chair of the American Academy of Pediatrics, California, Eric Ball, MD, FAAP. "No parent should have to worry that a preventable gap in access could become an emergency. This initiative gives schools an important additional tool to help keep children safe."

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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 August 25, 2026, for California's TK–12 school community to learn more about this initiative and how to access these free products.

"We applaud Governor Newsom for increasing access to life-saving asthma medications in California's schools," said Director Anne Kelsey Lamb, MPH, Regional Asthma Management & Prevention, a project of the Public Health Institute. "California has been leading the way in comprehensive asthma management, including Medi-Cal coverage of home-based asthma interventions and innovative policies to reduce outdoor air pollution. Providing access to quick-relief medications, with appropriate training for school staff, is a critical component of a comprehensive approach to improving asthma outcomes — another example of California's leadership that will quite literally help children breathe easier."

Amneal will launch an easy-to-use ordering solution so schools can receive a dependable supply of these products, shipped directly to school districts or school sites under the statewide albuterol standing order. After three years, the system will remain accessible for all schools to continue ordering products directly from Amneal.

An albuterol "standing order" is currently available for school use and is signed by Dr. Erica Pan, CDPH Director and State Public Health Officer, eliminating the need for schools to obtain an individual physician's prescription. California's TK–12 schools, school districts, county offices of education, charter schools, and private schools can utilize the standing order by completing an online application. School entities interested in applying for the albuterol standing order can visit the CDPH website or contact SafeSchoolsTeam@cdph.ca.gov for more information.

The bigger picture

The CalRx® School Albuterol Access Initiative removes barriers to accessing albuterol inhalers in California's TK–12 schools by establishing a statewide distribution solution aligned with the standing order, enabling rapid response to respiratory distress that can be sudden and life-threatening. This initiative aligns with California's broader strategic efforts to improve school health, expand medication access, and support consistent school attendance.

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In 2019, the Governor's first executive order was to lower prescription drug costs and ensure fair and transparent pricing is accessible to all Californians — resulting in the CalRx® initiative. To date, no other state has partnered to offer its own affordable medication available for public purchase to compete with other market-priced products.

The School Albuterol Initiative is the third life-saving and cost-saving drug initiative launched under the CalRx® initiative. The CalRx Biosimilar Insulin Initiative made CalRx® biosimilar insulin glargine pens available to California pharmacies for $45 and to consumers at a suggested retail price of no more than $55 per five-pack of 3 mL pens — a substantial reduction from current retail market prices. CalRx-branded over-the-counter (OTC) naloxone HCL nasal spray, 4 mg, costs only $19 — a more than 50% cost decrease from the original market price — and in a single quarter after CalRx naloxone's entry into the market, overall generic naloxone prices declined by 22%.

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For updates on the upcoming CalRx® albuterol ordering solution and training for schools, visit the CalRx website or contact info@calrx.ca.gov.

About Amneal

Amneal is a U.S.-based pharmaceutical company focused on expanding access to high-quality, affordable medicines. As the manufacturer of CalRx® naloxone, Amneal has supported the state's efforts to increase access to life-saving treatments, helping the state save millions of dollars as the primary supplier for California's Naloxone Distribution Project since May 2024. In April 2026, Amneal launched a generic albuterol inhaler product, following U.S. FDA approval in December 2025, further expanding access to an essential respiratory medicine

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