Don’t like needles? A nasal spray for allergies could replace EpiPen
Global News
Experts say having a needle-free alternative to the EpiPen injection is 'very significant' as it gives people more options to treat their allergies and could increase uptake.
Allergy sufferers in Canada may be able to swap their EpiPen injections for a nasal spray as early as next year.
Neffy, made by drugmaker ARS Pharmaceuticals Inc., is the first epinephrine nasal spray to be approved in the United States to treat life-threatening allergic reactions known as anaphylaxis.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) green-lit the device on Aug. 9 for the emergency treatment of severe allergic reactions, including those that are life-threatening, in adults and older children.
Health Canada told Global News on Monday that it has not yet received a submission for Neffy, but the company says is it planning to file later this year.
“ARS anticipates filing for approval from Heath Canada by Q4 2024,” Richard Lowenthal, CEO of ARS Pharmaceuticals, said in an emailed response to Global News.
“It may take Health Canada up to 10 months to approve but hopefully sooner, so likely availability in Canada is late 2025.”
Experts say having a needle-free alternative to the EpiPen injection is “a very significant step forward” as it gives people more options to treat their allergies and could also increase uptake of epinephrine, which is the first line of treatment for anaphylaxis.
Jennifer Lake, a pharmacist and assistant professor at the University of Toronto’s Lesley Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, said allergy sufferers who have anaphylaxis have only been able to inject epinephrine in the past.
