Epi-pen alternative now available in the Midstate
Doctors hope this alternative will save more lives.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) - For the first time in more than a hundred years, there’s now an FDA-approved alternative to the Epi-pen.
Within the last few weeks, the drug made it to Middle Tennessee, and doctors are now eager to get the word out.
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Sidney Nolan is a Nashville teacher who works with children, and she describes some of the challenges that come with them.
“Germs,” Nolan stated. “Their germs, them touching me with their germs, somebody getting hurt, they’re emotional.”
For Nolan, however, this constant classroom contact creates some additional risks.
“I’m allergic to mango, peaches, and cantaloupe,” she said.
Nolan has carried an auto-injector Epi-pen around since she was seven years old, and the one time she had to use it, resulted in a rash.
For Nolan, and everyone else facing down the threat of anaphylaxis, it has been their only option, until now.
Mt Juliet allergist Dr. Wesley Cain said a new product, called Neffy, is a nasal spray version of the Epi-pen, designed for anyone 66 pounds or heavier.
Cain said it is the same drug, just smaller, cheaper, longer lasting, and, perhaps most significant, there are no needles.
2023 pharmacy claims data showed that out of all of the prescriptions that were written for injector pens, only half of those were actually filled.
Out of those, half of the people do not carry them around, and many of those people are afraid to actually use them.
“You know, we hear stories all the time where people show up to the E.R. with their Epi-pen in hand wanting the E.R. to inject it rather than them doing it themselves,” Cain said.
That delay can be deadly, and now Cain hopes this new option will save more lives.
“Everybody seems to be super excited about it,” said Cain.
Nolan said she is, and now she looks forward to the day when Neffy can be used on small children too.
It’s what the drugmaker is looking to do next.
“That will relieve a lot of stress,” said Nolan. “I’d rather just give them some nose spray and that’d be all.”
For anyone interested in Neffy, contact your allergist or your pediatrician. Pharmacies that do not carry it, can order it.
Co-pay assistance cards can also be found on Neffy’s website, here.
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