The EpiPen and its needle replaced by a nasal spray

© Neffy ARS Pharma

Imagine a child in the midst of a potentially fatal allergic crisis, fleeing at top speed from his parents who are desperately trying to administer a life-saving injection. Or an adult, paralyzed by fear, hesitating to inject himself with the medicine that could save his life. These scenarios, unfortunately too frequent, could soon be a thing of the past thanks to a major medical innovation called Neffy.

< h2>A Game-Changing Needle-Free Alternative

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Dr. Michael Blaiss, an allergist at the Medical College of Georgia, has often witnessed his patients' reluctance to use their auto-injectors also called EpiPen for the epinephrine it contains, as well as its pen shape. Some called his office, on the verge of anaphylactic shock, to check if it was really necessary to inject the medication. others preferred to wait in the emergency room parking lot for ” see what was going to happen “. Faced with these dangerous behaviors, the arrival of the Neffy seems like a real lifeline.

This new device, recently approved by the American FDA (Food and Drug Administration), administers epinephrine in the form of a nasal spray. Exit the terrifying needle, in place of a gentler and less intimidating administration method.

” We've needed this for so long “, says Dr. Blaiss. “I truly believe this will save lives.” And for good reason: fear of needles is far from being a marginal phenomenon. According to a systematic study, most children and up to 30% of young adults suffer from it.

A device designed for patients' daily lives

Beyond the psychological aspect, the Neffy has other significant advantages. Its reduced size (barely more than five centimeters high) makes it much easier to carry than a classic EpiPen, which measures about 15 centimeters. “My patients rarely carry two EpiPens on them, even though it is recommended in case the first dose is not enough”, explains Dr. Blaiss. “With something this small, it's really not a problem anymore.”

Neffy is expected to be widely available by the end of September, and its price promises to be affordable for most insured patients. Richard Lowenthal, CEO of ARS Pharma, the company behind the device, says out-of-pocket costs will be capped in the U.S. at $25 for two single-use sprays (a prescription) for most people with insurance, and $199 for those with high-deductible plans or no insurance. Considering that the EpiPen is priced at over $600, that would be a substantial savings.

Another benefit: The nasal spray has a shelf life of about two and a half years, meaning patients will have to replace it less often than the EpiPen, which typically expires 18 months after it is manufactured.

Should we jump for joy right now ?

© Neffy ARS Pharma

However, Neffy is not a miracle solution for everyone. It does not is currently approved only for adults and children weighing more than 30 kg. The company hopes to make it available for children weighing more than 15 kg before next summer. Furthermore, clinical data on its efficacy in real-world situations of anaphylaxis are still limited.

Dr. Jonathan Spergel, an allergist at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, says some patients may prefer to stick with the EpiPen or a generic version of the auto-injector, which have proven effective. Studies so far suggest that the Neffy should be as effective as an auto-injector, but we’ll have to wait until it’s in widespread use to know for sure.

In the meantime, Dr. Blaiss advises patients with a history of severe allergic reactions to keep an EpiPen on hand, at least initially. “We won't really know until it's used in the real world, so I think we have to be cautious, at least at first,” he says.