Nasal spray developed to treat life-threatening allergic reactions is now available in UK
A nasal spray that has been developed to treat life-threatening allergic reactions is now available in the UK.
Called Neffy, it offers a needle-free alternative to the EpiPen used by those at risk of potentially fatal anaphylaxis to inject themselves with adrenaline.
Research shows the spray is just as effective at stopping dangerous allergic reactions.
The first-of-its-kind product could benefit millions with severe food allergies, particularly young children, who may struggle to use an EpiPen when having a frightening reaction.
Studies also suggest that one in three people in the UK who require EpiPens fail to carry one with them when they are out, while there have been shortages of adrenaline in the past five years.
Neffy has a longer shelf-life than adrenaline injections, according to ARS Pharma, the US developer of the drug, lasting two and a half years – around double the time that current medicines can be used for.
Last week research revealed that less than half of children across England had access to antidote adrenaline drugs for their anaphylaxis.
Called Neffy, it offers a needle-free alternative to the EpiPen used by those at risk of potentially fatal anaphylaxis to inject themselves with adrenaline (file image)
An analysis of national prescribing data published in Archives of Disease in Childhood found that only a third of children who suffered from anaphylaxis have a repeat prescription for an adrenaline autoinjector such as EpiPen.
The innovative new spray is currently only available on private prescription, but is expected to be offered on the NHS ‘in the near future’.
Dr Shuaib Nasser, consultant allergist and respiratory physician and clinical lead for allergy at Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: ‘While people with severe allergies know that adrenaline could save their life, in practice they don’t always carry the recommended two adrenaline devices – sometimes because they are too bulky, they forget, or they assume they’ll be able to avoid their triggers.
‘With Neffy being needle-free, administered through the nose and small enough to fit in a pocket, doctors now have an alternative option to help people.’
