Salbutamol
ATC R03AC02 · WHO DDD 0.8 mg (inhaled aerosol) · 100 micrograms per dose pressurised inhaler
Class: Drugs for obstructive airway diseases. ATC code R03AC02 stands for "salbutamol" in the WHO index, whose DDD is 0.8 mg by the inhaled aerosol route [1].
The WHO warns that countries label inhalers by metered or by delivered dose; the labelled 100 micrograms per dose is used as it stands. [2]
WHO Model List of Essential Medicines 2025: listed, core list, also on the children’s list [3].
Indications on the WHO list (2)
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease · core list · 25. Medicines acting on the respiratory tract 25.1. Antiasthmatic and medicines for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease · first added 2003
- Asthma · core list · children’s list · 25. Medicines acting on the respiratory tract 25.1. Antiasthmatic and medicines for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease · first added 1977
The WHO electronic list states that the 2025 PDF lists are binding: adults’ list, children’s list.
| Country | Packs | Kind of figure | Cost per DDD | Annual cost at the WHO standard dose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| France | 11 | List price | €0.18 to €0.35 | €64.68 to €126.29 |
| Spain | 2 | List price | €0.16 to €0.25 | €59.71 to €90.67 |
| United Kingdom | 1 | Reimbursement tariff | €0.07 | €25.84 £21.90 |
Names, authorisations and literature
Trade names (11)
- France (8)
- AIROMIR AUTOHALER, SALBUMOL FORT, SALBUTAMOL ARROW, SALBUTAMOL RENAUDIN, SALBUTAMOL TEVA, SALBUTAMOL VIATRIS, VENTILASTIN NOVOLIZER, VENTOLINE [5]
- Spain (3)
- SALBUAIR, SALBUTAMOL ALDO-UNION, VENTOALDO [6]
Links lead to the official product page: the EPAR for the European Union, the public medicines database for France, the CIMA summary of product characteristics for Spain, the dm+d for the United Kingdom. An asterisk marks a name taken from the DysNet register only.
European public assessment reports, EPAR (0)
The European Medicines Agency's list holds no medicine with ATC code R03AC02: this medicine has no EPAR [7].
Literature (PubMed, 15,098 papers)
PubMed counts 15,098 papers on this medicine [8]. The selection gives the most recent of each type; the Method page says how it is made. See the search in PubMed ↗
Cochrane reviews (95)
- Chandelia S, et al. Magnesium sulphate for treating acute bronchiolitis in children under two years of age. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2026. PubMed 41773552 ↗ doi ↗
- Ng G, et al. Inhaled bronchodilators for the prevention and treatment of chronic lung disease in preterm infants. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2024. PubMed 38591664 ↗ doi ↗
- Dalmia S, et al. Enzyme replacement therapy for late-onset Pompe disease. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2023. PubMed 38084761 ↗ doi ↗
- Bruschettini M, et al. Interventions for the management of transient tachypnoea of the newborn - an overview of systematic reviews. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2022. PubMed 35199848 ↗ doi ↗
- O'Shea O, et al. Regular treatment with formoterol and an inhaled corticosteroid versus regular treatment with salmeterol and an inhaled corticosteroid for chronic asthma: serious adverse events. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2021. PubMed 33852162 ↗ doi ↗
Systematic reviews and meta-analyses (149)
- Phattraprayoon N, et al. Efficacy of nebulized salbutamol in transient tachypnea of the newborn: A systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS One. 2026. PubMed 42821532 ↗ doi ↗
- Aznaran-Torres R, et al. Effects of salbutamol in transient tachypnoea of the newborn: a systematic review and meta-analysis. ERJ Open Res. 2026. PubMed 41736727 ↗ doi ↗
- Takhman M, et al. Salbutamol in Congenital Myasthenic Syndrome: A Systematic Review. BMC Neurol. 2025. PubMed 41382066 ↗ doi ↗
- Gawlik-Lipinski A, et al. Risk Factors for Life-Threatening Asthma Attacks and Asthma-Related Mortality in Children-A Systematic Review. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2025. PubMed 40827729 ↗ doi ↗
- Etherington C, et al. Asthma medication usage after environmental exposure to wildfire smoke: A systematic review. Environ Res. 2025. PubMed 40209994 ↗ doi ↗
Practice guidelines (16)
- van der Molen AJ, et al. Hypersensitivity reactions to contrast media: Part 1. Management of immediate and non-immediate hypersensitivity reactions in adults. Updated guidelines by the ESUR Contrast Media Safety Committee. Eur Radiol. 2025. PubMed 40425758 ↗ doi ↗
- [Guidelines for the prevention and management of bronchial asthma (2024 edition)]. Zhonghua Jie He He Hu Xi Za Zhi. 2025. PubMed 40050074 ↗ doi ↗
- Backman K, et al. Working group summary of the 2023 full update of the Finnish national guidelines for paediatric lower respiratory tract infections. Acta Paediatr. 2025. PubMed 39487609 ↗ doi ↗
Health technology assessments (9)
The opinions of the assessment bodies of the pilot countries and of Germany, with a link to each opinion. The status shown is the one each body publishes.
France, HAS Transparency Committee (8)
SMR: actual clinical benefit. ASMR: improvement in actual clinical benefit, from I (major) to V (none). Opinions taken from the BDPM [5].
- CT-20854 · 11 December 2024 · Inscription (CT) · SMR Important · ASMR V · VENTOLINE
Wording of the opinion, in French
SMR : Le service médical rendu par VENTOLINE (salbutamol) 0,5 mg/1 ml, solution injectable par voie sous-cutanée en ampoule en boîte de 5, est important dans l’indication de l’AMM.
ASMR : Cette spécialité est un complément de gamme qui n’apporte pas d’amélioration du service médical rendu (ASMR V) par rapport à la présentation déjà inscrite.
- CT-14644 · 22 February 2017 · Renouvellement d'inscription (CT) · SMR Important · SALBUTAMOL VIATRIS
Wording of the opinion, in French
SMR : Le service médical rendu par SALBUTAMOL MYLAN reste important dans les indications de l’AMM.
- CT-15393 · 9 November 2016 · Renouvellement d'inscription (CT) · SMR Important · VENTOLINE
Wording of the opinion, in French
SMR : Le service médical rendu par les spécialités VENTOLINE reste important dans les indications respectives de leur AMM.
- CT-14550 · 23 September 2015 · Renouvellement d'inscription (CT) · SMR Important · AIROMIR AUTOHALER, SALBUTAMOL TEVA
Wording of the opinion, in French
SMR : Le service médical rendu par AIROMIR AUTOHALER et SALBUTAMOL TEVA reste important dans les indications de l'AMM.
- CT-13770 · 15 April 2015 · Renouvellement d'inscription (CT) · SMR Important · VENTILASTIN NOVOLIZER
Wording of the opinion, in French
SMR : Le service médical rendu par les spécialités VENTILASTIN NOVOLIZER 100 µg/dose, poudre pour inhalation reste important dans les indications de l’AMM.
- CT-8544 · 3 November 2010 · Inscription (CT) · SMR Important · ASMR V · SALBUMOL FORT
Wording of the opinion, in French
SMR : Le service médical rendu par cette spécialité est important.
ASMR : Cette spécialité est un complément de gamme qui n'apporte pas d'amélioration du service médical rendu (ASMR V).
- CT-5032 · 12 September 2007 · Inscription (CT) · SMR Important · ASMR V · SALBUTAMOL RENAUDIN
Wording of the opinion, in French
SMR : Le service médical rendu par cette spécialité est important dans les indications de l'AMM.
ASMR : Absence d’amélioration du service médical rendu.
- CT-1295 · 22 June 2005 · Inscription (CT) · ASMR Commentaires sans chiffrage de l'ASMR · VENTOLINE
Wording of the opinion, in French
ASMR : Dans la prise en charge de l’asthme aigu grave et des poussées aiguës de BPCO en ambulatoire, VENTOLINE solution pour inhalation par nébuliseur, conserve un intérêt thérapeutique important dans la prise en charge habituelle des patients.
England, NICE (0)
NICE has published no technology appraisal that names this medicine among the technologies appraised [9].
Scotland, SMC (1)
- SMC 504/08 · 13 October 2008 · salbutamol sulphate (Salbulin MDPI Novoliser) · accepted · Abbreviated
Indication
For patients aged six years and over with reversible airways obstruction, such as asthma, for the relief and prevention of asthma symptoms
- SMC advice [10]
Germany, G-BA (0)
The G-BA has run no early benefit assessment (AMNOG) of this medicine on its own [11].
Spain, AEMPS therapeutic positioning reports (0)
The AEMPS database of therapeutic positioning reports holds no report on this medicine [12].
How the figure is computed
Example, France: the pack VENTOLINE 100 microgrammes/dose, suspension pour inhalation en flacon pressurisé, 1 flacon(s) pressurisé(s) aluminium avec valve(s) doseuse(s) avec embout(s) buccal(aux) de 200 dose(s), costs €4.43. It holds 20 mg, which is 25 DDD. The cost per DDD is €4.43 ÷ 25 = €0.18, and the annual cost at the WHO standard dose, list price, is that cost × 365 = €64.68.
France
Public price in France, including VAT and the per-pack dispensing fee. Source [5], read on 9 October 2026. ATC match: through the active substance (BDPM substance code), since the BDPM gives no ATC code.
Show the 11 packs
| Product | Pack | Price | DDD per pack | Cost per DDD | Annual cost at the WHO standard dose | Source line |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VENTOLINE 100 microgrammes/dose, suspension pour inhalation en flacon pressuriséBB FARMA (ITALIE) | 1 flacon(s) pressurisé(s) aluminium avec valve(s) doseuse(s) avec embout(s) buccal(aux) de 200 dose(s) | €4.43 | 25 | €0.18 | €64.68 | CIS 60928110 / CIP13 3400949004751substance code 03559 (SULFATE DE SALBUTAMOL) in CIS_COMPO_bdpm |
| VENTOLINE 100 microgrammes/dose, suspension pour inhalation en flacon pressuriséDIFARMED (ESPAGNE) | 1 flacon(s) pressurisé(s) aluminium avec valve(s) doseuse(s) avec embout(s) buccal(aux) de 200 dose(s) | €4.43 | 25 | €0.18 | €64.68 | CIS 61187493 / CIP13 3400949004614substance code 03559 (SULFATE DE SALBUTAMOL) in CIS_COMPO_bdpm |
| VENTOLINE 100 microgrammes/dose, suspension pour inhalation en flacon pressuriséDIFARMED (ESPAGNE) | 1 flacon(s) pressurisé(s) de 200 dose(s) aluminium avec valve doseuse avec embout buccal | €4.43 | 25 | €0.18 | €64.68 | CIS 61754100 / CIP13 3400949001453substance code 03559 (SULFATE DE SALBUTAMOL) in CIS_COMPO_bdpm |
| VENTOLINE 100 microgrammes/dose, suspension pour inhalation en flacon pressuriséDIFARMED (ESPAGNE) | 1 flacon(s) pressurisé(s) aluminium avec valve(s) doseuse(s) avec embout(s) buccal(aux) de 200 dose(s) | €4.43 | 25 | €0.18 | €64.68 | CIS 64532012 / CIP13 3400949003273substance code 03559 (SULFATE DE SALBUTAMOL) in CIS_COMPO_bdpm |
| VENTOLINE 100 microgrammes/dose, suspension pour inhalation en flacon pressuriséDIFARMED (ESPAGNE) | 1 flacon(s) pressurisé(s) aluminium avec valve(s) doseuse(s) avec embout(s) buccal(aux) de 200 dose(s) | €4.43 | 25 | €0.18 | €64.68 | CIS 65740201 / CIP13 3400949005376substance code 03559 (SULFATE DE SALBUTAMOL) in CIS_COMPO_bdpm |
| VENTOLINE 100 microgrammes/dose, suspension pour inhalation en flacon pressuriséBB FARMA (ITALIE) | flacon(s) pressurisé(s) aluminium avec valve(s) doseuse(s) avec embout(s) buccal(aux) de 200 dose(s) | €4.43 | 25 | €0.18 | €64.68 | CIS 67359188 / CIP13 3400949003129substance code 03559 (SULFATE DE SALBUTAMOL) in CIS_COMPO_bdpm |
| VENTOLINE 100 microgrammes/dose, suspension pour inhalation en flacon pressuriséDIFARMED (ESPAGNE) | 1 flacon(s) pressurisé(s) aluminium avec valve(s) doseuse(s) avec embout(s) buccal(aux) de 200 dose(s) | €4.43 | 25 | €0.18 | €64.68 | CIS 67458236 / CIP13 3400949005130substance code 03559 (SULFATE DE SALBUTAMOL) in CIS_COMPO_bdpm |
| VENTOLINE 100 microgrammes/dose, suspension pour inhalation en flacon pressuriséBB FARMA (ITALIE) | 1 flacon(s) pressurisé(s) aluminium avec valve(s) doseuse(s) avec embout(s) buccal(aux) de 200 dose(s) | €4.43 | 25 | €0.18 | €64.68 | CIS 68365226 / CIP13 3400949003624substance code 03559 (SULFATE DE SALBUTAMOL) in CIS_COMPO_bdpm |
| SALBUTAMOL TEVA 100 microgrammes/dose, suspension pour inhalation en flacon pressuriséTEVA SANTE | 1 flacon(s) pressurisé(s) aluminium avec valve doseuse avec embout buccal de 200 dose(s) | €4.60 | 25 | €0.18 | €67.16 | CIS 63883282 / CIP13 3400935842664substance code 03559 (SULFATE DE SALBUTAMOL) in CIS_COMPO_bdpm |
| VENTOLINE 100 microgrammes/dose, suspension pour inhalation en flacon pressuriséGLAXOSMITHKLINE | 1 flacon(s) pressurisé(s) de 200 dose(s) aluminium avec valve doseuse avec embout buccal | €4.60 | 25 | €0.18 | €67.16 | CIS 64720167 / CIP13 3400934438738substance code 03559 (SULFATE DE SALBUTAMOL) in CIS_COMPO_bdpm |
| AIROMIR AUTOHALER 100 microgrammes/dose, suspension pour inhalation en flacon pressuriséTEVA SANTE | 1 flacon(s) pressurisé(s) aluminium de 200 dose(s) avec valve doseuse avec embout buccal | €8.65 | 25 | €0.35 | €126.29 | CIS 66086181 / CIP13 3400934060335substance code 03559 (SULFATE DE SALBUTAMOL) in CIS_COMPO_bdpm |
Spain
Retail price including VAT (PVP IVA). Source [13][6], read on 9 October 2026. ATC match: ATC code of each national code, checked in CIMA.
Show the 2 packs
| Product | Pack | Price | DDD per pack | Cost per DDD | Annual cost at the WHO standard dose | Source line |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VENTOLIN 100 microgramos/INHALACION SUSPENSION PARA INHALACION EN ENVASE A PRESION, 1 inhalador de 200 dosisGLAXOSMITHKLINE, S.A. | 1 inhalador de 200 dosis | €4.09 | 25 | €0.16 | €59.71 | Código Nacional 656706AEMPS CIMA, registration 53010 |
| VENTOALDO 100 mcg/DOSIS SUSPENSION PARA INHALACION EN ENVASE A PRESION , 1 inhalador de 200 dosisALDO-UNION, S.L. | 1 inhalador de 200 dosis | €6.21 | 25 | €0.25 | €90.67 | Código Nacional 652530AEMPS CIMA, registration 52404 |
United Kingdom
Drug Tariff basic price paid to the pharmacy, excluding VAT (Part VIIIA Category C). Source [14][15], read on 9 October 2026. ATC match: ATC code of the virtual product (VMP) in the dm+d.
Show the 1 pack
| Product | Pack | Price | DDD per pack | Cost per DDD | Annual cost at the WHO standard dose | Source line |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Salbutamol 100micrograms/dose inhaler CFC free | 200 dose | £1.50 | 25 | £0.06 | £21.90€25.84 | VMPP SNOMED 1056811000001104dm+d browser, VMP 242 |
References
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- NHS Business Services Authority. dm+d browser: NHS dictionary of medicines and devices [Internet]. Newcastle upon Tyne: NHSBSA; [updated 2026 Oct 1; cited 2026 Oct 9]. Available from: https://dmd-browser.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/