A process for making optically pure (R) and (S) salbutamol comprises obtaining the (R) or (S) isomer of either salbutamol or a salbutamol precursor in substantially optically pure form by resolving a racemic or optically impure mixture of enantiomers of salbutamol or of said precursor with either (L) or (D) tartaric acid, and where necessary converting said isomer of said precursor into either (R or (S) salbutamol respectively; then optionally converting said optically pure (R) and/or (S) salbutamol into a pharmaceutically acceptable salt.