NHS hospitals hit by shortage of life-saving drug for chronic breathing issues

Doctors told to ration liquid form of salbutamol, which plays vital role in treating asthma, emphysema and bronchitis

NHS hospitals have been hit by a UK-wide shortage of a life-saving drug used to keep alive patients who are at risk of dying because they cannot breathe without medical intervention.

Doctors have been told to ration their use of the liquid form of salbutamol, which plays a vital role in treating people suffering from severe asthma attacks or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which usually involves emphysema or chronic bronchitis.

Wean all patients off nebulisers as soon as their condition has stabilised.

Consider no longer using nebuliser liquid for patients experiencing a mild to moderate asthma attack or flare-up of COPD and instead use a salbutamol pressurised metered-dose inhaler (pMDI).

When a patient does need nebuliser liquids, use them when required rather than regularly".

Supplies need to be used as far as possible only with acute, severe exacerbations of COPD and asthma", people who cannot breathe due to an attack of anaphylaxis - a life-threatening allergic reaction to eating something - and those who cannot use a pMDI.