Adrenaline nasal spray offering alternative anaphylaxis treatment in Australia for first time in three decades

A needle-free treatment for anaphylaxis is now available in Australia, providing an alternative for those hesitant to administer a needle when someone is suffering a severe allergic reaction. The nasal spray Neffy has now been approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration — marking the first alternative anaphylaxis treatment to EpiPens and Anapens in the country in more than three decades. The device works by spraying adrenaline directly into the nasal passage, rapidly reversing the effects of anaphylaxis by opening the airways and maintaining heart function and blood pressure. It’s also smaller to carry than its counterparts and has a longer expiry, lasting at least two years before needing to buy a new one. A needle can make people hesitant to give life-saving treatment, which was the case for Lincoln McLean, when daycare staff didn’t administer his EpiPen after he had an anaphylactic reaction to drinking milk. It meant paramedics had to give him three shots of adrenaline to stave off the severe allergic reaction to dairy. The now nine-year-old also has developed a needle phobia after suffering multiple anaphylactic reactions, making it even more stressful anytime he requires an EpiPen. His mum Hayley said it was a relief when she found out the nasal spray had been approved in Australia. “100 per cent there is hesitancy to give an EpiPen, even though the mandate is ‘if in doubt, give it’, but just that idea of giving someone a needle appears to be quite a barrier to receiving prompt health care,” she said. “The idea of a product that is a nasal spray definitely lowers that barrier and makes it much more accessible to anyone. “As a parent it’s really encouraging and just makes it a bit easier when he goes to see friends and those type of things.” Allergy and Anaphylaxis Australia chief executive Sarah Emery said it would offer allergy sufferers more choice. “It’s exciting that it’s a needle-free option of adrenaline,” she said. “We hope that means that people are less likely to hesitate, more people are likely to carry it around, and ultimately use it when they need to.” Despite the device being approved for use in Australia it is not yet listed on the pharmaceutical benefits scheme meaning people are forking out $220 at the pharmacy for the product. That’s an option due to be considered at this month’s PBS meeting, meaning the cost of the spray for anaphylaxis sufferers could come down to $25, the same as an EpePin. Ms McLean said that would be life-changing for many families. “It’s currently not cheap, by any means, but the idea of peace of mind for Lincoln is really important,” she said. “Allergies are already a very expensive medical condition, just from the perspective of what you can and can’t buy. “With Neffy the recommendation is that you keep two together so there’s always a back up one, and given how schools operate where you need to leave one there, it just gets really expensive when it adds up. “If Neffy was available on PBS it would make it much more accessible and improve the treatment for individuals experiencing anaphylaxis.”