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Health Canada has approved the first needle-free epinephrine treatment for severe allergic reactions: a nasal spray called Neffy.<\/p>\n
ALK Canada, which purchased the rights to distribute the drug, says the two-milligram treatment has been approved for adults and pediatric patients who weigh at least 30 kilograms \u2014 roughly 66 lbs.<\/p>\n
It says the spray could be on the market as soon as this summer.<\/p>\n
As it stands, epinephrine auto-injectors \u2014 known by the brand name EpiPen \u2014 are the only emergency treatment option available for allergic reactions.<\/p>\n
EpiPens are single-use, pre-filled devices used to shoot a dose of epinephrine into the muscle.<\/p>\n
Dr. Mariam Hanna, an adjunct clinical professor of pediatrics at Hamilton’s McMaster University, said Neffy’s non-needle delivery system is a plus for those who find it stressful or challenging to deploy auto-injectors. <\/p>\n
Hanna said that some patients \u2014 and even their parents \u2014 have had reluctance, at times, to use auto-injectors when needed.<\/p>\n
“That delay, particularly during a life-threatening reaction, is not good in terms of outcomes,” Hanna said in an interview on Wednesday afternoon.<\/p>\n
Hanna said it’s “a big deal” that Neffy removes the needle-related aspects of deploying epinephrine.<\/p>\n
“We are hoping that people are more ready to use it, and people will use it, in emergencies, rather than delaying,” she said. <\/p>\n
U.S. approved use in 2024<\/p>\n
Neffy was approved for use in the United States in summer 2024, where it is also available in a one-milligram dose for kids who weigh 15 to 30 kilograms. That dose has not been approved in Canada.<\/p>\n