Five La Jolla public schools can now claim free emergency asthma inhalers and spacers under a statewide program that Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Thursday, Aug. 20.
La Jolla High School, Muirlands Middle School, La Jolla Elementary, Bird Rock Elementary and Torrey Pines Elementary all qualify for the School Albuterol Access Initiative, which will supply each eligible TK–12 public and charter school with two albuterol metered-dose inhalers and 25 single-use disposable spacers per year for three years, at no cost.
Shipments begin the week of Tuesday, Aug. 25.
"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," Eric Ball, chair of the American Academy of Pediatrics, California, said in a statement. "This initiative gives schools an important additional tool to help keep children safe."
How it works
The program, funded in the 2025–26 state budget, partners with Amneal Pharmaceuticals to ship supplies directly to schools through an online ordering system. State Public Health Officer Dr. Erica Pan signed a statewide "standing order" for albuterol, eliminating the need for each school to obtain its own physician's prescription.
School nurses and administrators can apply through the California Department of Public Health at cdph.ca.gov or by emailing [email protected]. Training updates are available at calrx.ca.gov.
The state will also provide free training for public school staff through the California School Nurses Organization, covering how to recognize respiratory distress, administer the medication and determine when to call 911 and notify parents.
What about private schools?
La Jolla's private schools, including The Bishop's School and La Jolla Country Day School, do not receive free inhalers but can purchase them at a steep discount through CalRx: $9.50 per inhaler (up to 80% off the cash price) and $93.75 for a 25-pack of spacers (35% savings). All schools, public and private, can buy additional refills at the same CalRx price.
Why it matters locally
Approximately 1 million children in California have asthma, and one in three students with active symptoms misses at least one week of school every year, according to the governor's office. The initiative is a nationwide first. San Diego Unified School District, the state's second-largest district with more than 95,000 students across 175 schools, stands to benefit broadly.
With SDUSD's 2026–27 school year already underway, La Jolla campuses could have inhalers on hand within weeks of applying. Schools seeking more information on the CalRx ordering timeline can email [email protected].
