MHRA consults on allowing UK schools to stock spare adrenaline nasal sprays
On 19 October 2026, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) launched a UK-wide consultation alongside the Department of Health in Northern Ireland. The consultation proposes letting schools buy and hold spare needle-free adrenaline nasal sprays for emergency use. About 8% of UK children and young people have food allergies, and roughly 20% of severe food allergy reactions happen while at school. Currently, UK schools may keep spare adrenaline auto-injectors. Under the proposed rules, schools could choose to hold auto-injectors, nasal sprays, or both. These spare supplies act as a backup and do not replace the requirement for pupils to carry their own prescribed medication. Emergency adrenaline would still only be given to children known to be at risk of anaphylaxis, administered by trained school staff. The eight-week public consultation runs until 14 December 2026.
What was announced
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency launched a public consultation on 19 October 2026. Working jointly with the Department of Health in Northern Ireland, the agency wants to allow UK schools to purchase and store spare adrenaline nasal sprays.
Anaphylaxis is a severe, life-threatening allergic reaction. Around 8% of children in the UK have a food allergy, and about 20% of serious allergic reactions to food take place at school. Under current rules, schools can already store spare adrenaline auto-injectors. The new proposal gives schools the option to stock nasal sprays, auto-injectors, or both.
The MHRA is also seeking feedback on using broader legal terminology. This change would allow future self-administered adrenaline products to be approved for school storage without requiring new legislation each time. The consultation remains open for eight weeks, closing on 14 December 2026.
What it means
If adopted, the changes give schools more choices in how they prepare for allergic emergencies. A needle-free nasal spray provides an alternative format to traditional auto-injector pens.
Existing safety rules will remain unchanged. School staff must be trained before administering emergency adrenaline, and the devices can only be given to pupils known to be at risk of anaphylaxis. Additionally, spare devices in schools will act only as a backup. They will not replace the expectation that students carry their personal prescribed adrenaline medicines.
What the announcement does not tell us
The announcement does not state when any final decision will take effect after the consultation closes on 14 December 2026. It does not mention how much adrenaline nasal sprays will cost schools or whether government funding will cover purchases.
Furthermore, the document does not explain what training school staff will need to use nasal sprays compared to auto-injectors. It also omits details on how specific brands or devices will be selected and distributed to suppliers.
How this was written
This analysis was written with AI from the official announcement below, using only facts that announcement states. The quoted wording is gov.uk: Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency’s own. Always check the original before acting on anything here.
The MHRA is now consulting on proposals that would give schools an additional option to support children at risk of life-threatening allergic reactions.
Opens www.gov.uk
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