Neffy, the Needle-Free Alternative to EpiPen, Earns FDA Approval — Here's What It Will Cost You

Those who rely on EpiPens during an allergic reaction may have a new alternative to reach for, after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Neffy, a needle-free epinephrine product. Neffy is a nasal spray that claims to offer a pain-free alternative to an epinephrine shot. As you may know, these doses can be lifesavers for anyone experiencing anaphylaxis, which is an extreme and sometimes life-threatening allergic reaction.

Users have more than just the FDA approval to celebrate. If the manufacturer behind the new product is to be believed, the cost of Neffy will give users reasons to cheer as well. Continue reading to learn more about the new medication, what it costs, and when you'll be able to get your hands on a Neffy prescription.

The FDA approved Neffy for use in adults and children weighing over 60 pounds in August 2024, according to The Hill, making the product the first needle-free epinephrine option to hit the U.S. market. This wasn't an easy win for manufacturers, as the FDA denied Neffy in 2023, asking the company behind the product to provide more studies showing how the drug worked when compared to injectables after multiple uses.

Epinephrine is the fast acting medication that is used to counteract severe cases of anaphylaxis, which can happen when someone is exposed to an allergen. Anaphylaxis can be fatal if not treated quickly, and some worry that people have delayed their treatment over fear of using injectables. That's why Kelly Stone, an FDA associate director, is celebrating the Neffy approval. As she told The Hill, she believes Neffy will help children especially, since they may be more likely to delay treatment because they're scared of needles.

EpiPen users can expect to see Neffy hitting the shelves about eight weeks after it was approved, so sometime in early October 2024.

Neffy not only brings a new delivery method to the market, but it may also bring some discounted prices. EpiPen users sometimes pay hundreds of dollars for their emergency allergy treatments. But, now that Neffy has entered the scene, it looks like there may be some dramatic price drops — for those with health insurance, Neffy will cost just $25 for a two-pack, depending on insurance coverages, per ARS Pharma.

It's worth noting that the company behind the inhaler has said that it will help offset some of the costs for those without insurance or whose policies don't cover Neffy by offering a fixed price of $199 through the virtual pharmaceutical website BlinkRx.

So, which company is celebrating this big win? ARS Pharma. The company has a focus on developing new treatments for severe allergic reactions, according to its website, and it is working to create more patient-friendly solutions to help in the process. It sounds like this is something that's resonating with investors, since the company's stock (NASDAQ symbol SPRY) has more than tripled in the year leading up to Neffy's August 2024 FDA approval.

Just days after receiving FDA approval, the stock price rose to $12.02, a 52 week high point that well exceeded the yearlong low of $2.55. Whether those prices will continue to climb as the public release date of the new Neffy inhaler draws closer remains to be seen, but for now I have to imagine there are a lot of parents and children breathing a sign of relief knowing that a new pain-free alternative to the EpiPen will soon be available.