Revolutionary Nasal Spray Set to Disrupt Allergy Treatment: A Needle-Free Game-Changer to Rival EpiPens

Posted: 7:54 PM EDT, August 31, 2024 | Updated: August 31, 2024 8:53 PM EDT

A nasal spray designed to treat life-threatening allergic reactions could be available as early as next year.

The product, called Neffy, is a needle-free alternative to the EpiPen, which is used to inject adrenaline for people at risk for anaphylaxis.

Studies have shown that the spray, which was recently approved in the EU and the US, is equally effective in preventing dangerous allergic reactions.

The first of its kind, it could help millions of people with severe food allergies, especially young children who may have difficulty using an EpiPen.

Research has shown that one in three people in the UK who need an EpiPen cannot carry one with them when they go out. They have also had an adrenaline shortage in the past five years.

A nasal spray designed to treat life-threatening allergic reactions could be released next year (stock photo)

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Hannah Jacobs, 13, pictured, died in 2022 after having an allergic reaction to Costa Coffee.

Last month, London’s coroner’s court heard that 13-year-old Hannah Jacobs died after having an allergic reaction to Costa coffee.

Neither Hannah nor her mother had an EpiPen, and when her condition began to worsen, the pharmacist they ran to did not have the correct dose of epinephrine due to a nationwide shortage.

According to ARS Pharma (the US developer), Nepi has a longer shelf life than adrenaline injections and is expected to be launched in the UK in the middle of next year.

Experts say introducing Neffy to the NHS could ease many patients’ anxiety about EpiPens and could even save lives.

Professor Adam Fox, of the Evelina Children’s Hospital in Westminster, central London, said: “A lot of patients are reluctant to use adrenaline. They may hesitate if they have an allergic reaction, which can be dangerous.

Experts say launching Neffy on the NHS could ease anxiety many patients have about EpiPens and even save lives (stock photo)

“For some people, this means they get treatment sooner and therefore have a better response. Some of the kids I talked to were very excited about this.

More than 13 million Britons suffer from food allergies, twice as many as a decade ago. Children under the age of five are most at risk, with 4% affected compared to 1% of adults.

An EpiPen delivers artificial adrenaline to control the most dangerous allergy symptoms, such as swelling, itching, and shortness of breath. A NepiPen also contains epinephrine, but is sprayed into the nose instead.