Asda to sell inhalers for asthmatics
ASTHMA inhalers are to go on sale in the supermarket for the first time, allowing sufferers access to the drugs without having to see their doctor. Asda announced yesterday that it plans to begin selling the blue reliever inhalers over the counter from Tuesday.
Customers over the age of 16 will be able to buy two of the inhalers for £7.
All shoppers will need to do is fill in a questionnaire about their condition before buying the medication.
Asda pharmacist Faisal Tuddy said: ‘It can often prove to be stressful trying to book a GP appointment when your inhaler is running low.
‘We have listened to customers and it was clear that easier access to asthma relief is the most desirable service we could provide, ensuring sufferers receive the best advice at the lowest cost.’
More than 5.2million people in the UK suffer from asthma. Blue inhalers, which contain the drug salbutamol, give relief from symptoms including wheezing and shortness of breath.
Asda will sell the inhalers in its stores that have a pharmacy. Qualified pharmacists and an online doctor service will oversee their sale.
Currently, asthmatics need a prescription from their GP to get an inhaler from a pharmacist. When they need another inhaler they can usually obtain it without seeing the doctor, but they will still have to get the doctor to sign a repeat prescription form.
This often takes 48 hours to process. The patient then has to pick up the signed prescription from the surgery and take it to a pharmacy, or else the surgery will drop off the prescription at a pharmacy for the patient.
Cher Piddock, lead asthma nurse at Asthma UK, said: ‘People with asthma will value being able to access inhalers more easily and pharmacists are a good source of advice about asthma medicines, so we’re interested to see how this will work.
‘However, if people are using their blue reliever more than twice a week, it can be a sign that their asthma is out of control, which could put them at risk of a life- threatening asthma attack. Asda must explain how they will ensure this practice is safe.’