Dr. Michael Blaiss, an allergist at the Medical College of Georgia, has seen firsthand how patients’ fear of needles can hinder timely administration of life-saving epinephrine. A new device, Neffy, approved by the FDA, aims to alleviate this concern by delivering epinephrine through a nasal spray instead of an injection.
Neffy’s introduction is highly anticipated due to its potential to reduce needle anxiety, which affects many patients, especially children and young adults. The device is compact and convenient, making it easier to carry compared to the traditional EpiPen. It is also expected to be affordable, with out-of-pocket costs capped at $25 for most insured patients.
However, Neffy is currently approved only for adults and children over 66 pounds, with plans to extend to those over 33 pounds by next summer. Despite promising clinical trial results, some experts advise caution due to the limited real-world data on its effectiveness during anaphylactic reactions. Dr. Blaiss recommends carrying an EpiPen as a backup while Neffy’s performance in everyday use is further evaluated.
