The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has launched a consultation on proposals that would allow schools to purchase and keep spare adrenaline nasal sprays for emergency use in children with severe allergies. The UK medicines regulator is running the consultation UK-wide, jointly with the Department of Health in Northern Ireland.
The consultation opened on 19 October 2026 and runs for eight weeks, closing on 14 December 2026. Details are set out in the MHRA announcement of the consultation.
Why schools are the focus
According to the MHRA, around 8% of children and young people in the UK have a food allergy. Some are at risk of anaphylaxis, a severe and potentially life-threatening allergic reaction that requires immediate treatment with adrenaline.
Schools can already hold spare adrenaline auto-injectors for emergencies. The MHRA said that around 20% of serious allergic reactions to food happen in a school setting, and it is seeking views on allowing schools to hold nasal sprays in the same way.
How the adrenaline nasal sprays proposal would work
Under the proposals, schools could choose whether to hold adrenaline auto-injectors, adrenaline nasal sprays or both. The existing safeguards would remain, so emergency adrenaline could only be given to children known to be at risk of anaphylaxis and by appropriately trained school staff.
The proposal would not require schools to stock a particular product or brand. It would also not replace the expectation that children carry their own prescribed adrenaline medicine, and supplies held by schools would continue to act as a backup. The consultation additionally seeks views on how the proposals would work in practice.
Julian Beach, MHRA Executive Director, Operations, said: “Through this consultation we want to understand if schools should be able to buy and hold these products alongside or in place of the adrenaline auto-injectors they can already stock.” He added: “Our proposal is designed to ensure that medicines legislation keeps up with developments in healthcare while ensuring safeguards that support the safe use of emergency adrenaline in schools remain in place.”
Broader wording for future products
The MHRA is also asking whether legislation should use broader terminology for self-administered adrenaline products that might become available in future. The agency said this would help ensure that any new authorised adrenaline products could be considered more quickly, without a separate legislative amendment each time.
Minister for Health James Frith MP said: “Giving schools another way to respond quickly to a severe allergic reaction could be life-saving, and I’d encourage families, schools and others to have their say in shaping these proposals.”
Responses from allergy groups and school leaders
Amena Warner, Head of Clinical Services at Allergy UK, said: “Storing a needle-free adrenaline device that is administered into the nose will offer parents – plus children and young people at risk of anaphylaxis – an easy to use device, more confidence to use it promptly and will give schools choice in how they prepare for and manage an allergic emergency.”
Paul Whiteman, general secretary of the school leaders’ union NAHT, said: “Schools already play an important role in supporting pupils with serious allergies, and we welcome the opportunity to contribute to this consultation. It’s important that any proposals are safe, practical and properly supported, with clear guidance and training for school staff.”
Prof Adam Fox OBE, Chair of the National Allergy Strategy Group, said: “It’s therefore important that schools are able to keep up with newer treatment options for patients at risk of anaphylaxis whilst ensuring that these additional options do not create confusion or unintended consequences.”
Who can respond and the wider policy context
The MHRA said the consultation welcomes responses from everyone, including schools, school staff, parents and carers, healthcare professionals and anyone with an interest in improving access to emergency treatment for anaphylaxis.
The consultation follows new allergy-safety requirements for schools in England, which came into force in September 2026 as part of the first phase of Benedict’s Law. The MHRA, which regulates medicines and medical devices in the UK, is an executive agency of the Department of Health and Social Care.
Frequently asked questions
What is the MHRA consulting on?
The MHRA is consulting on proposals that would allow schools to purchase and keep spare adrenaline nasal sprays for emergency use in children with severe allergies. Schools could choose to hold auto-injectors, nasal sprays or both.
When does the MHRA adrenaline nasal spray consultation close?
The consultation opened on 19 October 2026, runs for eight weeks and closes on 14 December 2026.
Who can be given spare adrenaline at school under the proposals?
Existing safeguards would remain, so emergency adrenaline could only be given to children known to be at risk of anaphylaxis and by appropriately trained school staff.
Would schools have to stock a specific adrenaline product?
No. The proposal would not require schools to stock a particular product or brand, and would not replace the expectation that children carry their own prescribed adrenaline medicine.
Who can respond to the consultation?
Responses are welcomed from everyone, including schools, school staff, parents and carers, healthcare professionals and anyone with an interest in improving access to emergency treatment for anaphylaxis.
