EnglishSchools could keep spare adrenaline nasal sprays under UK consultation
Families and school staff have until 14 December to comment on extending emergency medicine rules, with training and pupil safeguards retained.
Schools across the UK could gain the option to keep spare adrenaline nasal sprays for anaphylactic emergencies under a consultation opened by the medicines regulator on 19 October. The proposal would extend existing exemptions for school-held auto-injectors, rather than require schools to buy a particular product.
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency is seeking responses until 11:59pm UK time on 14 December 2026. It is carrying out the UK-wide consultation jointly with Northern Ireland’s Department of Health.
What would change
The Human Medicines Regulations 2012 currently allow schools to obtain spare adrenaline auto-injectors without a prescription for a named individual. The proposed amendment would extend that route to authorised adrenaline nasal sprays, which the MHRA first authorised in July 2025.
If the change goes ahead, individual schools in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland could choose to hold auto-injectors, nasal sprays or both. The consultation also asks whether broader wording should accommodate future authorised self-administered adrenaline products.
Training and pupil safeguards would remain
The proposed exemption would continue to limit use of school-held emergency adrenaline to pupils known to be at risk of anaphylaxis, with administration by appropriately trained school personnel. The school’s supplies would remain a backup: pupils would still be expected to bring their own prescribed adrenaline medicine.
The consultation document says guidance would continue to recommend parental or guardian consent as best practice. It distinguishes that recommendation from a consent requirement in the medicines legislation. Schools would also need to consider staff familiarity and training when deciding what to stock.
How to respond
People at risk of anaphylaxis, parents and carers, school leaders and staff, healthcare professionals and members of the public can respond through the online survey linked from the official consultation page.
The proposals remain under consultation. If ministers proceed, the regulations would need to be amended and school guidance updated, with devolved governments responsible for guidance in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The consultation does not announce a date when schools may begin using the proposed new purchasing exemption.