The National Asthma Council Australia today released an update regarding the current salbutamol 2.5mg nebule shortage.
Clinical Associate Professor Debbie Rigby, Clinical Executive Lead National Asthma Council, said GSK has advised of a current supply shortage of Ventolin Nebules (salbutamol sulfate) 5 mg/2.5 mL and 2.5 mg/2.5 mL inhalation solution ampoules.
The out-of-stock period for the 5 mg/2.5 mL inhalation solution ampoules is currently anticipated until 17 August 2026, while the 2.5 mg/2.5 mL inhalation solution ampoules are currently in supply shortage with limited availability until 21 December 2026.
“While this may be distressing for patients with asthma who have been using this medication, the shortage also provides an opportunity for health professionals to reinforce the updated National Asthma Council Australian Asthma Handbook guidelines.
“No adult or adolescent should be using short-acting beta2 agonist (SABA-only) treatment and the emphasis is now on embedding anti-inflammatory reliever (AIR-only) and maintenance-and-reliever therapy (MART) approaches as standard care for adults and adolescents,” she said.
Clinical Associate Professor Rigby said it is important for health professionals to also communicate to patients that salbutamol delivered via nebuliser requires a higher dose without any added therapeutic benefit.[i]
“Pressurised metered-dose inhalers (pMDIs) with a spacer is at least as effective as a nebuliser for the delivery of salbutamol for adults and children, even during symptomatic exacerbations.
In addition, nebulisers are less portable as they may require a power source to run, and take a longer time to deliver a dose of salbutamol, with patients needing to wait up to 10 minutes for the dose to be administered.
She added that the recommendations to avoid SABA-only treatment and shift towards inhaled corticosteroids (ICS-containing) therapy for all adults and adolescents requires substantial education and behaviour changes for patients.
“We encourage all health professionals to talk to their patients about the importance of focusing on alleviating chronic inflammation in the airways, not just addressing symptoms.
“A new suite of resources released recently by the National Asthma Council Australia provides concise information including ‘key messages for patients’ that can assist GPs and pharmacists to show patients in plain language that the changes are backed by evidence and experts,” she said.
[i] Brocklebank D, Ram F, Wright J, et al. Comparison of the effectiveness of inhaler devices in asthma and chronic obstructive airways disease: a systematic review of the literature. Health Technol Assess 2001;5(26).
For ongoing supply updates for Ventolin Nebules 5 mg and 2.5 mg, visit the TGA website.
For further information please refer to our updated information for health professionals.
For further information or an interview with a NAC spokesperson, please contact:
Donna Le Page, Le Page PR
Mobile: 0429 825 703 or Email: [email protected]
The National Asthma Council Australia is a collaboration of four member organisations (APNA, ASCIA, PSA and RACGP) and the national trusted authority for asthma knowledge. We set and disseminate the standards for asthma care through our responsive and evidence-based asthma guidelines - the Australian Asthma Handbook and resources for primary health care professionals. Our Sensitive Choice program empowers consumers to identify asthma and allergy-aware products and services.
[i] Brocklebank D, Ram F, Wright J, et al. Comparison of the effectiveness of inhaler devices in asthma and chronic obstructive airways disease: a systematic review of the literature. Health Technol Assess 2001;5(26).
