Epinephrine (neffy®) Nasal Spray approved for addition to NSLHD Outpatient Formulary for Anaphylaxis (to food allergen) as per Patient Access Program
Epinephrine (neffy®) Nasal Spray has been approved for addition to the NSLHD Outpatient Formulary for Anaphylaxis (to food allergen) as per Patient Access Program (PAP). This applies to patients managed by an Immunologist/Allergist or approved Advanced Trainee at RNSH Allergy Clinic.
The PAP will remain open until neffy® is listed on the PBS or until the program closes, whichever occurs first.
Only consented patients that have been administered neffy® in clinic (which enrols them onto the PAP) are eligible to be supplied with two doses of neffy®, free of charge, upon discharge. The initial supply of neffy® will be provided by RNSH hospital pharmacy.
At enrolment, the patient’s General Practitioner details will be recorded. The GP will receive a discharge letter, including prescribing information and guidance to support their involvement in ongoing care.
Most patients participating in the neffy PAP will already carry an EpiPen. New patients who receive neffy® as their first adrenaline device will be trained on administration of both neffy® and EpiPen as a backup plan when possible.
Regarding an enrolled patient being admitted to ED following an anaphylaxis event, existing hospital protocols states that the patient must leave with an adrenaline device. A patient should still have either a neffy® dose or EpiPen dose on hand. If they don’t have any adrenaline doses, then they will need to be supplied with an EpiPen on discharge (with education), then organise a neffy® replenishment.
Where enrolled patients have administered their neffy® dose/s to treat anaphylaxis, replenishment will come from an e-pharmacy. This can be organised either by the treating specialist/allergy clinic at RNSH via the neffy® PAP portal or the patient’s GP who is required to send a scanned script to the e-pharmacy (PAP GP letter here). It can take 1 – 3 days for replenishment stock to be delivered to the patient via e-pharmacy. The expectation during initial discharge from Allergy clinic is to agree with the patient who to speak to if neffy® replenishment is needed.
Patients at risk of life-threatening anaphylaxis should always have an adrenaline device.
GP/clinician information:
Patient information: