GPs Encouraged to Review Asthma Treatment During Ventolin Nebule Shortage
29 Jul 2026
GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) Australia has advised of supply shortages affecting Ventolin nebules (salbutamol) in both 5 mg/2.5 mL and 2.5 mg/2.5 mL strengths.
The 5 mg nebules are expected to remain unavailable until 17 August 2026, while the 2.5 mg strength is expected to have limited supply until 21 December 2026.
According to GSK, the shortage has been driven by increased demand, the withdrawal of some alternative salbutamol products from the market, and manufacturing capacity limitations.
Clinical Associate Professor Debbie Rigby, Clinical Executive Lead at the National Asthma Council (NAC), said the shortage is an opportunity for healthcare professionals to reinforce updated asthma treatment recommendations.
Current Australian guidelines advise against using short-acting beta₂ agonists (SABA), such as salbutamol, as the only treatment for adults and adolescents with asthma. Instead, the focus is on inhaled corticosteroid (ICS)-containing therapies, including anti-inflammatory reliever (AIR) and maintenance and reliever therapy (MART).
Professor Rigby said that for most patients, a pressurised metered-dose inhaler (puffer) with a spacer is just as effective as a nebuliser, even during asthma flare-ups. Puffers are also more convenient, portable and quicker to use.
RACGP Specific Interests Respiratory Medicine Chair Dr Kerry Hancock said the shortage should prompt GPs to identify patients who still rely on salbutamol nebules and review whether their asthma management follows current best practice.
She noted that most people, including many young children, can safely use a puffer with a spacer instead of nebulised salbutamol. She also emphasised that the shortage affects Ventolin nebules only, not standard Ventolin inhalers.
Dr Hancock said every asthma flare-up should prompt a review of the patient's long-term asthma management to identify whether treatment needs to be adjusted to reduce future attacks.
To support these conversations, the National Asthma Council has released educational resources for both healthcare professionals and patients.
Separately, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has approved depemokimab (Exdensur) for eligible patients with severe eosinophilic asthma and chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps. The treatment is given once every six months by specialist prescription under specific TGA criteria.
GPs Encouraged to Review Asthma Treatment During Ventolin Nebule Shortage
Source: newsGP, GlaxoSmithKline Australia, National Asthma Council Australia.