diff --git a/arch/Kconfig b/arch/Kconfig
index a0fa9402bb..c66100a98c 100644
--- a/arch/Kconfig
+++ b/arch/Kconfig
@@ -303,6 +303,11 @@ config ARCH_HAVE_PROGMEM
 	bool
 	default n
 
+config ARCH_HAVE_PROGMEM_READ
+	bool
+	default n
+	depends on ARCH_HAVE_PROGMEM
+
 config ARCH_HAVE_RESET
 	bool
 	default n
diff --git a/drivers/mtd/mtd_progmem.c b/drivers/mtd/mtd_progmem.c
index ab722ab5c7..cb489f3884 100644
--- a/drivers/mtd/mtd_progmem.c
+++ b/drivers/mtd/mtd_progmem.c
@@ -200,6 +200,13 @@ static ssize_t progmem_bread(FAR struct mtd_dev_s *dev, off_t startblock,
                              size_t nblocks, FAR uint8_t *buffer)
 {
   FAR struct progmem_dev_s *priv = (FAR struct progmem_dev_s *)dev;
+#ifdef CONFIG_ARCH_HAVE_PROGMEM_READ
+  ssize_t result;
+
+  result = up_progmem_read(up_progmem_getaddress(startblock), buffer,
+                           nblocks << priv->blkshift);
+  return result < 0 ? result : nblocks;
+#else
   FAR const uint8_t *src;
 
   /* Read the specified blocks into the provided user buffer and return
@@ -210,6 +217,7 @@ static ssize_t progmem_bread(FAR struct mtd_dev_s *dev, off_t startblock,
   src = (FAR const uint8_t *)up_progmem_getaddress(startblock);
   memcpy(buffer, src, nblocks << priv->blkshift);
   return nblocks;
+#endif
 }
 
 /****************************************************************************
@@ -248,19 +256,26 @@ static ssize_t progmem_read(FAR struct mtd_dev_s *dev, off_t offset,
                             size_t nbytes, FAR uint8_t *buffer)
 {
   FAR struct progmem_dev_s *priv = (FAR struct progmem_dev_s *)dev;
+  off_t startblock = offset >> priv->blkshift;
+#ifdef CONFIG_ARCH_HAVE_PROGMEM_READ
+  ssize_t result;
+
+  result = up_progmem_read(up_progmem_getaddress(startblock) +
+           (offset & ((1 << priv->blkshift) - 1)), buffer, nbytes);
+  return result < 0 ? result : nbytes;
+#else
   FAR const uint8_t *src;
-  off_t startblock;
 
   /* Read the specified bytes into the provided user buffer and return
    * status (The positive, number of bytes actually read or a negated
    * errno)
    */
 
-  startblock = offset >> priv->blkshift;
   src = (FAR const uint8_t *)up_progmem_getaddress(startblock) +
                              (offset & ((1 << priv->blkshift) - 1));
   memcpy(buffer, src, nbytes);
   return nbytes;
+#endif
 }
 
 /****************************************************************************
diff --git a/include/nuttx/progmem.h b/include/nuttx/progmem.h
index 0a7f99cfdd..7aa55bfd7c 100644
--- a/include/nuttx/progmem.h
+++ b/include/nuttx/progmem.h
@@ -216,6 +216,39 @@ ssize_t up_progmem_ispageerased(size_t page);
 
 ssize_t up_progmem_write(size_t addr, FAR const void *buf, size_t count);
 
+/****************************************************************************
+ * Name: up_progmem_read
+ *
+ * Description:
+ *   Read data at given address
+ *
+ *   Note: this function is not limited to single page and nor it requires
+ *   the address be aligned inside the page boundaries.
+ *
+ * Input Parameters:
+ *   addr  - Address with or without flash offset
+ *           (absolute or aligned to page0)
+ *   buf   - Pointer to buffer
+ *   count - Number of bytes to read
+ *
+ * Returned Value:
+ *   Bytes read or negative value on error.  The following errors are
+ *   reported (errno is not set!)
+ *
+ *     EINVAL: If count is not aligned with the flash boundaries (i.e.
+ *             some MCU's require per half-word or even word access)
+ *     EFAULT: On invalid address
+ *     EIO:    On unsuccessful read
+ *     EACCES: Insufficient permissions (read/write protected)
+ *     EPERM:  If operation is not permitted due to some other constraints
+ *             (i.e. some internal block is not running etc.)
+ *
+ ****************************************************************************/
+
+#ifdef CONFIG_ARCH_HAVE_PROGMEM_READ
+ssize_t up_progmem_read(size_t addr, FAR void *buf, size_t count);
+#endif
+
 #undef EXTERN
 #if defined(__cplusplus)
 }