Australians living with the risk of life-threatening allergic reactions will now have access to a new subsidised emergency treatment, with the Australian Government listing neffy® adrenaline (epinephrine) nasal spray on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) from July 1, 2026.
The PBS listing means eligible adults and children aged four years and older who weigh at least 15 kilograms can now access the needle-free adrenaline nasal spray at the subsidised PBS price for the emergency treatment of anaphylaxis.
The announcement has been welcomed by CSL Seqirus, which says the listing expands treatment options for Australians managing severe allergies while making the medication more affordable.
Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction that can develop rapidly after exposure to allergens including foods, medications, insect bites or insect stings. Without immediate treatment, the condition can become life-threatening.
Adrenaline remains the first-line emergency treatment for anaphylaxis because it works quickly to reduce swelling in the throat, improve breathing by opening the airways and help maintain blood pressure and heart function.
The PBS listing comes as Australia continues to experience increasing rates of anaphylaxis. Health data shows Australia has one of the highest recorded rates of anaphylaxis-related hospital admissions among developed nations. Between 2015 and 2020, public hospitals recorded a 51 per cent increase in emergency department presentations and a 35 per cent rise in hospital admissions linked to anaphylaxis.
Leading NSW allergist Professor Connie Katelaris said the subsidy represented an important step forward for people living with severe allergies.
She said neffy had previously only been available through private prescription, but the PBS listing would allow more Australians to choose the nasal spray if it suited their individual treatment needs.
Professor Katelaris said there was no single approach that worked for every patient, making access to a broader range of treatment options an important development for doctors and patients alike.
Health Strategy and Advocacy Manager for Allergy & Anaphylaxis Australia, Maria Said, said living with the constant threat of anaphylaxis affected nearly every aspect of daily life.
She said people with severe allergies often had to carefully plan routine activities such as dining out, attending social gatherings or travelling, while parents and carers regularly faced additional planning for school excursions, birthday parties and play dates.
Ms Said said having access to a needle-free adrenaline option would provide greater flexibility for patients and families when discussing treatment preferences with their healthcare professionals.
Healthcare professionals are also receiving updated clinical guidance following the introduction of the new treatment.
Associate Professor Kristina Rueter, Chair of the Anaphylaxis Committee of the Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA), said the organisation had updated its clinical guidelines, education programs and training resources to include neffy.
She said the revised materials were developed with allergy specialists and healthcare professionals to ensure clinicians had access to practical, evidence-based information covering the latest treatment options available for anaphylaxis.
CSL Seqirus Senior Medical Director of Pharmaceuticals Claire Morgan described the PBS listing as a significant milestone in improving patient access to essential medicines.
She said subsidised access would give eligible Australians another treatment choice while recognising the collaborative efforts of healthcare professionals, advocacy organisations and professional medical bodies that support the allergy community.
The PBS listing took effect on July 1, making neffy available as a subsidised treatment option for eligible Australians at risk of anaphylaxis.
