Canadians with severe allergies will now have greater access to what experts have called a game-changing treatment that delivers epinephrine without the use of a needle. ALK-Abelló Pharmaceuticals Inc. Canada (ALK Canada) announced on Monday that its epinephrine nasal spray called “neffy” is now classified as a Schedule II product in Canada, meaning it’s available without a prescription across the country. “Access to epinephrine is critical for the estimated 2.5 million Canadians affected by severe allergies that put them at risk of anaphylaxis,” the company said in a press release. For years, Canadians at risk of anaphylaxis from allergies to foods like peanuts or shellfish have relied on single-use injectable devices, known commonly by the brand name EpiPen, which must be jabbed into the thigh. After Health Canada approved neffy for use earlier this year, one pediatric allergist told CTV News that the treatment is “huge” news for Canadians with severe allergies and their caregivers. “This is the ability to have a life-saving device available on you that’s easy to administer, and almost challenging to get wrong,” said Dr. Mariam Hanna. “Carrying a needle-based epinephrine or having this as the only route of delivery causes barriers for people who one: don’t like needles; two: don’t want to use a needle; or three: don’t want to carry the size that is required.” The drug’s new classification means that even though it’s now available prescription-free across the country in provinces and territories where a prescription had previously been required, it still must be kept behind the counter at licensed pharmacies. The treatment is authorized for use in adults and children with a body weight of at least 30 kilograms, or 66 pounds, “for the emergency treatment of allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis to insect stings or bites, foods, medicines and other allergens,” ALK Canada said. It is also authorized for use to treat anaphylaxis caused by exercise or in instances where the cause is unknown, according to the company. “Making neffy available without a prescription across Canada is an important step toward giving people at risk of anaphylaxis, and their caregivers, another way to carry and use epinephrine, the first-line emergency treatment for severe allergic reactions,” ALK Canada general manager Andrew Desbarats said in the release. “We hope this change helps make it easier for Canadians to obtain and carry emergency treatment, and to act quickly when these reactions occur.”
