SACRAMENTO — Governor Gavin Newsom announced a major expansion of CalRx? that will provide free emergency asthma medication to approximately 10,000 public and charter schools across California.

Through a partnership with Amneal Pharmaceuticals, California is launching the School Albuterol Access Initiative, a statewide program that will supply public and charter schools serving transitional kindergarten through grade 12 with emergency albuterol inhalers and disposable spacers at no cost for three years.

“No child should be left gasping for air because their school doesn’t have an inhaler,” Governor Newsom said. “This initiative equips schools with the tools to respond to potentially life-threatening asthma attacks, allowing children to focus in class and enjoy the playground without fear.”

Approximately 1 million children in California have asthma. Among children with active symptoms, about one in three misses at least a week of school each year. Asthma is also one of the leading causes of school absenteeism.

Albuterol, commonly known as a rescue inhaler, relaxes the muscles surrounding the airways to relieve sudden breathing problems. Immediate access can help prevent a medical emergency or an emergency room visit.

Under funding included in California’s 2025–26 budget, each eligible school will receive an annual emergency supply consisting of:

* Two albuterol metered-dose inhalers delivering 90 micrograms per actuation; and
* Twenty-five single-use disposable spacers to help deliver the medication effectively.

The supplies will be provided free for three years. Private schools may purchase inhalers through CalRx? for $9.50 each and spacers for $93.75 per 25-pack, plus sales tax and shipping. All schools may purchase additional supplies at the same CalRx? prices.

CalRx? is also partnering with the California School Nurses Organization to provide public school districts with free training on asthma and emergency albuterol use. The training covers recognizing respiratory distress, administering an inhaler in a school setting, calling 911 and notifying a student’s parent or guardian.

The California Department of Public Health and CalRx? will host a statewide webinar on August 25, 2026, to explain the initiative and how TK–12 schools can obtain the products.