Have you ever met anyone who was allergic to bee stings? Or to dairy? To all of those people out there, the field of food allergies has just been revolutionized. No longer will a needle stare you in the face, when your throat is closing, nor will ice packs be needed to keep your medicine safe.
In August of 2024, the FDA approved the new and improved auto-epinephrine injector: Neffy. Neffy is the first epinephrine nasal spray for anaphylactic responses. Over the years there have been many different variations of an epi-pen, including those that talk to you, but all of them have involved a needle. Neffy offers the same epinephrine as an epi-pen would, but needle-free.
Why is this so important?
Last month, FARE (Food Allergy and Research Education), a global company dedicated to building a community of individuals with food allergies, hosted its annual FARE Summit in Washington D.C.. One of the biggest takeaways from this conference was the authorization of Neffy. Neffy alleviates one of the biggest issues with auto-epinephrine injectors; the fear of needles. Many individuals, when faced with administering themselves or someone else with epinephrine, would hesitate due to the pain associated with inserting needles into a thigh. Using Neffy would take away a lot of the in-the-moment hesitation that may cost someone their life.
A nasal spray auto-injector is also very advantageous for other cosmetic reasons. In the allergy world, there has always been an obstacle to overcome in that it’s hard for men to carry an epi-pen when most of them don’t carry purses like women. Now, with Neffy, the 2-inch injector can easily fit in the pocket of anyone who needs to carry one.
What’s special about Neffy?
Apart from being needle-free, Neffy still has several new exciting advancements that will forever change the food allergy community. A regular epi-pen can withstand 59-86 degrees Fahrenheit. A Neffy can handle up to 122 degrees Fahrenheit. If the auto-injector ever gets frozen, it can thaw and work to its full potential when used.
Neffy also is very cost-effective. The number one reason why individuals don’t carry epinephrine is because of the cost. An average epi-pen expires in a year. This means that every year, a costly, new prescription would be needed to make sure that an individual will be safely protected. In contrast, Neffy lasts for 2 years, and the purchase would only have to be made every 2 years to keep oneself safe.
Final Words
In conclusion, the Food Allergy community is elated with the new up-and-coming advancements being made to make lives easier and safer. The future looks bright, with Neffy now approved and an oral melt-in-your-mouth epinephrine still in Beta testing. Spread the news about Neffy now!
