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Peel Best
Pharmacy

Asthma Inhalers & Medication Management in Mississauga

Our pharmacists at Peel Best Pharmacy help you choose the right inhaler, master your technique, navigate ODB coverage, and stay on top of your asthma management — walk in anytime, no appointment needed.

Call (905) 712-0003 Get Directions

Address

550 Matheson Blvd W, Unit 106
Mississauga, ON L5R 4B8
Inside Heartland Town Centre

Hours

Monday - Friday: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Saturday: Closed

Sunday: 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Contact

(905) 712-0003

Walk-in · No appointment needed

3.8M
Canadians living with asthma — one of the most common chronic conditions
~10%
Of Ontarians have asthma — with higher rates in children and women
Most
Asthma is well-controlled with proper inhalers and technique — your pharmacist can help
Asthma is a chronic inflammatory airway disease affecting nearly 4 million Canadians, yet it remains one of the most treatable — when medications are used correctly. The most common reason asthma remains poorly controlled is not the wrong medication, but incorrect inhaler technique. At Peel Best Pharmacy in Mississauga's Heartland Town Centre, our pharmacists are trained to assess and correct inhaler technique, review your controller and reliever prescriptions, check ODB formulary coverage, and conduct MedsCheck consultations for patients managing asthma alongside other conditions. Whether you are newly diagnosed or have been managing asthma for years, we offer same-day filling of all major inhalers and a free inhaler technique review with every new prescription.

Asthma Medications We Carry

We stock the full range of asthma inhaler classes and oral therapies. Most are available same-day. ODB coverage noted where applicable.

SABA Relievers (Short-Acting Beta-Agonists)

Salbutamol (Ventolin), Levalbuterol

Fast-acting bronchodilators that relax airway muscles within minutes. Used for immediate symptom relief and before exercise. Every asthma patient should have a reliever inhaler on hand.

Salbutamol (Ventolin) is listed on the ODB formulary and widely covered.

ICS Controllers (Inhaled Corticosteroids)

Fluticasone (Flovent), Budesonide (Pulmicort), Beclomethasone (QVAR)

Reduce airway inflammation over time, preventing symptoms and exacerbations. The cornerstone of daily asthma control. Must be used consistently even when feeling well.

Several ICS agents are ODB-listed; coverage depends on the specific brand and formulary status.

ICS/LABA Combination Inhalers

Budesonide/Formoterol (Symbicort), Fluticasone/Salmeterol (Advair), Fluticasone/Vilanterol (Breo)

Combine an inhaled corticosteroid with a long-acting beta-agonist for enhanced control. Preferred for patients not fully controlled on ICS alone. Symbicort can also be used as a reliever (SMART therapy).

ODB coverage varies by combination; pharmacist can review your specific plan and formulary options.

LAMA Bronchodilators (Long-Acting Muscarinic Antagonists)

Tiotropium (Spiriva), Umeclidinium (Incruse)

Primarily used for COPD but increasingly used as add-on therapy in severe or difficult-to-control asthma. Help reduce exacerbations when ICS/LABA is insufficient.

ODB coverage for LAMAs in asthma may require prior authorization — our pharmacist can advise.

Leukotriene Receptor Antagonists (LTRAs)

Montelukast (Singulair), Zafirlukast

Oral tablets that block leukotrienes — inflammatory chemicals that cause airway swelling and mucus production. Useful for allergic asthma and exercise-induced asthma. Often used alongside inhaled therapy.

Montelukast is ODB-listed for eligible patients with asthma.

Biologics (Targeted Therapy for Severe Asthma)

Dupilumab (Dupixent), Benralizumab (Fasenra), Mepolizumab (Nucala)

Injectable biologic therapies for severe eosinophilic or allergic asthma uncontrolled by standard therapy. Require specialist prescription and ongoing monitoring. Our pharmacist can help with special access programs and storage guidance.

Biologics may qualify for Exceptional Access Program (EAP) funding through ODB — specific criteria apply.

Asthma Pharmacy Services at Peel Best

Inhaler Technique Assessment

Incorrect inhaler technique is a leading cause of poor asthma control. Our pharmacists assess your technique for MDIs, DPIs, and soft mist inhalers, and demonstrate proper use with spacers where appropriate. A 5-minute check can make a measurable difference.

ODB Formulary Review

Many asthma medications are covered under ODB for eligible patients. We review your coverage, identify listed alternatives if your prescribed brand is not covered, and handle prior authorization submissions where required.

MedsCheck for Asthma Patients

A funded annual MedsCheck consultation with our pharmacist reviews all your medications — including controller and reliever inhalers, oral medications, and supplements — to optimize your regimen and reduce interactions.

Asthma Action Plan Review

We help patients understand and use their written asthma action plan — reviewing the green/yellow/red zones, when to increase therapy, and when to seek emergency care. Ask to have your plan reviewed at your next visit.

Ventolin Refill Authorization

Ontario pharmacists can authorize refills of reliever inhalers like Ventolin in many clinical situations. If your prescription has lapsed, we can often provide a bridge supply while you arrange a physician appointment.

Flu & RSV Vaccine for Asthma Patients

Respiratory infections are the leading trigger of asthma exacerbations. We administer flu shots and RSV vaccines in-store — no appointment needed. Staying vaccinated is a core part of asthma management.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a reliever and a controller inhaler?
A reliever inhaler (like Ventolin/salbutamol) works within minutes to open your airways during an asthma attack or when symptoms flare. It is a rescue medication and should always be accessible. A controller inhaler (like Flovent, Symbicort, or Advair) is taken daily to reduce airway inflammation and prevent symptoms from occurring — it does not provide immediate relief. Many asthma patients need both types. Relying only on a reliever inhaler without a controller suggests your asthma may not be optimally managed. Our pharmacist can review your regimen and discuss whether a controller is appropriate for your symptom pattern.
How do I use a spacer with my puffer, and do I need one?
A spacer (also called a valved holding chamber) is a tube that attaches to a metered-dose inhaler (MDI) and holds the medication in a cloud until you inhale it. Spacers dramatically improve medication delivery to the lungs — studies show they can increase lung deposition by 30–40% compared to inhaling directly from the puffer. They also reduce the amount of medication deposited in the mouth and throat, which decreases the risk of side effects like oral thrush from inhaled corticosteroids. Spacers are recommended for most patients using MDI inhalers, especially children, elderly patients, and anyone who struggles with coordination. Ask our pharmacist to demonstrate proper technique.
Is Ventolin (salbutamol) covered by the Ontario Drug Benefit (ODB)?
Yes. Salbutamol (the generic form of Ventolin) is listed on the ODB formulary and is covered for eligible patients — including seniors 65+, Ontario Works and ODSP recipients, and those in the Trillium Drug Program. If you have ODB coverage, you pay only the applicable co-payment ($2 or $6.11 depending on your program). Brand-name Ventolin may require a note from your physician if the prescriber specifies no substitution. Our pharmacist can review your coverage and clarify what is included under your ODB plan.
What is the difference between Symbicort and Advair?
Both Symbicort and Advair are ICS/LABA combination inhalers that combine an inhaled corticosteroid with a long-acting bronchodilator. Symbicort contains budesonide and formoterol; Advair contains fluticasone and salmeterol. One clinically important difference: Symbicort (budesonide/formoterol) can be used as both a daily controller and a rescue inhaler under the SMART (Single Maintenance and Reliever Therapy) approach — allowing patients to use one inhaler for both purposes. Advair and Breo (fluticasone/vilanterol) are controller-only. The right choice depends on your asthma severity, inhaler device preference, ODB coverage, and prescriber recommendation. Ask our pharmacist for a comparison.
Can a pharmacist prescribe or adapt asthma medication in Ontario?
Ontario pharmacists have authority to adapt existing prescriptions in several ways — for example, renewing a lapsed prescription for a short-term bridge supply, adjusting the dose within a prescribed range, or switching to a therapeutically equivalent inhaler if your original is unavailable or not covered. Pharmacists can also provide emergency supplies of a medication when a patient is unable to reach their physician. However, pharmacists cannot initiate a new asthma diagnosis or prescribe a new medication class without a prior prescription. If your inhaler prescription has lapsed, call our pharmacy at (905) 712-0003 and we can advise on next steps.
Should asthma patients get a flu shot or RSV vaccine?
Yes — strongly recommended. Respiratory viral infections — influenza, RSV, and COVID-19 — are among the most common triggers of serious asthma exacerbations requiring hospitalization. Asthma patients are considered a high-priority group for annual influenza vaccination in Ontario, and the flu vaccine is publicly funded for all Ontario residents. RSV vaccines are now available for adults 60+ and are publicly funded in Ontario for seniors in that age group. Our pharmacy provides both vaccines in-store with no appointment needed. Staying current on respiratory vaccines is a core element of asthma management.
What is an asthma action plan and should I have one?
An asthma action plan is a written document — usually developed with your physician or respiratory therapist — that tells you exactly what to do based on your current symptoms or peak flow readings. It uses a traffic-light system: green (controlled, continue regular medications), yellow (caution — symptoms worsening, increase reliever use, consider adding oral steroids), and red (emergency — significant breathing difficulty, seek immediate care). Every asthma patient should have a written action plan. Research consistently shows action plans reduce emergency visits and hospitalizations. If you do not have one, ask your doctor to provide it, and bring it to our pharmacy — our pharmacist can help you review and understand it.

Get Your Inhaler Technique Checked Today

Walk in — no appointment needed. Our pharmacists can assess your inhaler technique, review your asthma medications, and ensure you have ODB coverage in place.

(905) 712-0003 Get Directions

550 Matheson Blvd W, Unit 106, Mississauga  ·  Heartland Town Centre

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