Illinois Pharmacists Association Letter of Support - Public Act 100-0726 Access to Asthma Medication – Schools and School Districts

Oct 10, 2026

A support letter from the Illinois Pharmacists Association to Erica Salem, MPH, outlining Illinois Public Act 100-0726 regarding access to asthma medication in schools and school districts. It summarizes the legislation and explains the association’s interpretation, including definitions of “asthma medication” and “undesignated asthma medication.” The letter details how schools may maintain secure medication supplies, who may prescribe them, and how prescriptions can be processed and dispensed, plus related counseling and education expectations.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages1

Reading Time3 min

AccessFree to download

Letter of Support

Overview and Purpose

Key Definitions

Provisions for School Medication Supply

Prescription Processing and Counseling

Contact Information

8 December 2022 Erica Salem, MPH Senior Director, Strategy, Programs and Policy Respiratory Health Association 1440 W Washington Blvd Chicago IL 60607 Re: Public Act 100-0726 | Access to Asthma Medication – Schools and School Districts Dear Ms. Salem: The Illinois Pharmacists Association (IPhA) is proud to offer this letter of support to your organization, schools, school districts, charter schools, nonpublic schools, and other stakeholders throughout Illinois to facilitate understanding of recent enacted legislation to obtain undesignated asthma medications and other allow medications. This summary of the legislation and IPhA’s interpretation of the PA 100- 0726 and related Acts should provide education and decrease confusion on the obtaining needed medications with a prescription. Public Act 100-0726 was signed on August 8, 2018 and went into effect on January 1, 2019. This legislation amends The School Code (105 ILCS 5/22-30) by adding language for the administration of asthma medication. “Asthma Medication” means quick-relief asthma medication, including albuterol or other short-acting bronchodilators, that is approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of respiratory distress. "Asthma medication" includes medication delivered through a device, including a metered dose inhaler with a reusable or disposablespacer or a nebulizer with a mouthpiece or mask. "Undesignated asthma medication" means asthma medication prescribed in the name of a school district, public school, charter school, or nonpublic school. In Section f) it states: The school district, public school, charter school, or nonpublic school may maintain a supply of asthma medication in any secure location that is accessible before, during, or after school where a person is most at risk, including, but not limited to, a classroom or the nurse's office. A physician, a physician assistant who has prescriptive authority under Section 7.5 of the Physician Assistant Practice Act of 1987, or an advanced practice registered nurse who has prescriptive authority under Section 65-40 of the Nurse Practice Act may prescribe undesignated asthma medication in the name of the school district, public school, charter school, or nonpublic school to be maintained for use when necessary. Any supply of undesignated asthma medication must be maintained in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. The Act provides the ability for school districts, public schools, charter schools, or nonpublic schools to present a prescription to a pharmacist for asthma medication to be processed in the same manner as any other prescription and dispensed in accordance with the Pharmacy Practice Act. School districts, public schools, charter schools, or nonpublic schools have the same right to present these prescriptions to a pharmacist as ifit were presented by an individual patient. Pharmacists should also provide counseling and education in accordance with Pharmacy Practice Act for the medication. Reminder that this section also enables school districts, public schools, charter schools, or nonpublic schools to obtain undesignated epinephrine auto-injectors and opioid antagonists (also allowed under 225 ILCS 85/19.1) . Any questions please contact the Illinois Pharmacists Association at 217-522-7300 or [greynolds@ipha.org](greynolds@ipha.org). Thank you for the opportunity to provide this letter to educate and provide increased access to medications and patient care. Sincerely, Garth K. Reynolds, BSPharm, RPh, MBA, FAPhA Executive Director

FAQs

What does Public Act 100-0726 change for Illinois schools?

It amends the School Code by adding language for the administration of asthma medication in schools and school districts.

What counts as “asthma medication” under the act?

Quick-relief asthma medication, including albuterol or other short-acting bronchodilators, approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, including delivery via devices such as inhalers or nebulizers.

How can school districts obtain undesignated asthma medication through pharmacists?

Schools may present a prescription to a pharmacist for processing like other prescriptions, and pharmacists provide counseling and education according to pharmacy practice requirements.

Oct 10, 2026

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