Epinephrine is the definitive treatment for serious allergic reactions or anaphylaxis. To address such situations, trained staff of certain institutions and public spaces are authorized to keep a supply of epinephrine auto-injectors to administer in the event of an emergency. This is codified in state law through the Public School Code and Title 35 (Health and Safety), Chapter 55 (Epinephrine Auto Injector Entities).
 
In August 2024, the federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved epinephrine in a nasal spray form for treatment of serious allergic reactions or anaphylaxis for those who are at least 30kg (66 lbs) in weight (FDA Approves First Nasal Spray for Treatment of Anaphylaxis | FDA). Many now use this form of epinephrine because it is easier for them to carry and may be preferable for those who have issues with needles. However, school nurses from the Pennsylvania Association of School Nurses and Practitioners have informed us that our current state laws related to epinephrine only cover auto-injectors, not epinephrine in the newly approved nasal spray formulation. This has created a gap in our existing statutory framework on the use of epinephrine to treat serious allergic reactions and anaphylaxis.
 
Therefore, we are introducing two bills that will permit entities that are allowed to supply and administer epinephrine auto-injectors to also use other FDA-approved forms of epinephrine for treatment of serious allergic reactions and anaphylaxis. Specifically, these bills would change the term “epinephrine auto-injector” to “epinephrine delivery system,” defined as a device that is approved by the federal Food and Drug Administration, that contains a pre-measured dose of epinephrine, and that is used to administer epinephrine into the human body to prevent or treat a life-threatening allergic reaction. This definition is currently used in Wisconsin law and would prevent the need for our legislature to re-visit our existing epinephrine statutes as additional FDA-approved formulations might come about. This change does not otherwise revise the existing statutory framework and its precautions related to epinephrine use in these settings.
 
Epinephrine is the only life-saving medication for serious allergic reactions and anaphylaxis. Every second counts, and the sooner epinephrine is given, the better the outcome. Please join us in supporting this legislative package to ensure all Pennsylvanians continue to have access to the most up-to-date formulations of epinephrine in all the locations where serious allergic reactions and anaphylaxis occur.