A looming shortage of low-dose salbutamol nebules is an opportunity to switch patients with asthma to a metered-dose inhaler, says a leading GP.

The TGA’s medicine shortage database indicates that Ventolin 2.5mg/2.5mL salbutamol inhalation solution ampoules will be in short supply from mid-November until August 2024.

This will be in addition to the shortage of Cipla 2.5mg/2.5mL salbutamol nebules since December last year, although the 5mg/2.5mL nebules and other inhaler devices using salbutamol are unaffected.

Dr Kerry Hancock, chair of the RACGP’s Specific Interests Respiratory group, said it was “relatively easy” to switch patients with asthma from nebules to an inhaler therapy.