Nasal spray

Major new vaccines initiative aims to fight deadly airborne infections

Retrieved on: 
Monday, December 18, 2023

The aim is to create new or improved vaccines for some of the deadliest respiratory diseases, including tuberculosis (TB) and influenza.

Key Points: 
  • The aim is to create new or improved vaccines for some of the deadliest respiratory diseases, including tuberculosis (TB) and influenza.
  • Developed in partnership with the University of Copenhagen, it is the first vaccines initiative globally to focus solely on understanding how to generate immunity in the airway itself.
  • "The development of the Covid-19 vaccines demonstrated the extraordinary possibilities when interdisciplinary vaccine research and development are prioritised," says Krogsgaard Thomsen.
  • "We hope that NIVI's work can help prepare us for the next pandemic or even help consign airborne epidemics to history."

Major new vaccines initiative aims to fight deadly airborne infections

Retrieved on: 
Monday, December 18, 2023

The aim is to create new or improved vaccines for some of the deadliest respiratory diseases, including tuberculosis (TB) and influenza.

Key Points: 
  • The aim is to create new or improved vaccines for some of the deadliest respiratory diseases, including tuberculosis (TB) and influenza.
  • Developed in partnership with the University of Copenhagen, it is the first vaccines initiative globally to focus solely on understanding how to generate immunity in the airway itself.
  • "The development of the Covid-19 vaccines demonstrated the extraordinary possibilities when interdisciplinary vaccine research and development are prioritised," says Krogsgaard Thomsen.
  • "We hope that NIVI's work can help prepare us for the next pandemic or even help consign airborne epidemics to history."

FDA advisory panel's conclusion that oral phenylephrine is ineffective means consumers need to think twice when buying cold and flu meds

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, October 26, 2023

The ramp-up to cold and flu season is a bad time for consumers to learn that some of their most trusted go-to products don’t actually work.

Key Points: 
  • The ramp-up to cold and flu season is a bad time for consumers to learn that some of their most trusted go-to products don’t actually work.
  • The 2023 FDA advisory panel met to review growing evidence that oral phenylephrine is an ineffective treatment for nasal congestion.
  • Consumers may also question whether combination cough, cold and flu products will still be safe and effective for use at home.

The backstory

  • The most recent analysis is not the first time an FDA advisory panel has scrutinized oral phenylephrine.
  • A 2007 panel examining its use concluded that more studies were needed to make a final decision regarding the effectiveness of phenylephrine.

Safety concerns

  • No safety issues with oral phenylephrine alone were documented in the 2023 advisory panel conclusion.
  • However, researchers and advisory panel members have raised concerns about the possibility of products containing ineffective phenylephrine remaining on pharmacy shelves.
  • Even if oral phenylephrine is safe, taking an ineffective medication could cause consumers to spend money on products that work no better than a placebo.

The story behind pseudoephedrine

  • Luckily, the nonprescription oral nasal decongestant pseudoephedrine – which is known to be effective – has been commercially available for many years.
  • Pseudoephedrine is a nasal decongestant that is taken by mouth to relieve a stuffy nose.
  • If the FDA acts on the advisory committee’s conclusions that oral phenylephrine is not an effective nasal decongestant, pseudoephedrine may be the only remaining oral medication available without a prescription to treat nasal congestion.


Pseudoephedrine should not be used in doses higher than those that are recommended on the label. Use of products containing pseudoephedrine should be stopped and a health care provider consulted if dizziness, nervousness or sleeplessness occurs.
Pseudoephedrine should not be used by consumers with heart disease, high blood pressure, thyroid disease, diabetes or an enlarged prostate without talking with a health care provider like a pharmacist or a physician.
Products with pseudoephedrine should not be used while taking, or within two weeks of stopping, a prescription monoamine oxidase inhibitor, which is most commonly used to treat for depression or Parkinson’s disease.

Other treatments

  • These products are sold under the brand name Afrin and others.
  • All of these non-drug approaches can help sooth the nasal passage to provide temporary relief from congestion.
  • If symptoms of congestion continue for more than two weeks, or if signs of an infection arise, go see your doctor.


Lucas Berenbrok is part owner of the consulting company, Embarx, LLC. Colleen Culley and Karen Steinmetz Pater do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

Dr. Ferrer BioPharma Named Finalist for CPhI Pharma Awards 2023

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, October 24, 2023

Dr. Ferrer BioPharma (DFB) is honored to be a finalist for the prestigious CPhI Pharma Worldwide Awards 2023 , an internationally renowned award platform organized by CPhI, the world's leading pharmaceutical networking event.

Key Points: 
  • Dr. Ferrer BioPharma (DFB) is honored to be a finalist for the prestigious CPhI Pharma Worldwide Awards 2023 , an internationally renowned award platform organized by CPhI, the world's leading pharmaceutical networking event.
  • Dr. Gustavo Ferrer , founder of DFB, shared, "Being shortlisted by CPhI is a testament to our unwavering commitment to patient-focused innovation in addressing respiratory illnesses like COVID-19, influenza, post-COVID syndrome, and allergies."
  • The nozzle was carefully engineered to optimize nasal drug target delivery and maximize patient comfort.
  • The team also validated the specific angle of application for the treatment of viral illnesses and allergies.

Altamira Therapeutics Reports Additional Significant Efficacy Outcomes from Bentrio Clinical Trial in Seasonal Allergic Rhinitis

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, September 14, 2023

Altamira Therapeutics Ltd. (Nasdaq:CYTO), a company dedicated to developing therapeutics that address important unmet medical needs, today announced further positive and statistically significant efficacy data from the randomized controlled NASAR clinical trial, which evaluated their Bentrio nasal spray in seasonal allergic rhinitis (SAR).

Key Points: 
  • Altamira Therapeutics Ltd. (Nasdaq:CYTO), a company dedicated to developing therapeutics that address important unmet medical needs, today announced further positive and statistically significant efficacy data from the randomized controlled NASAR clinical trial, which evaluated their Bentrio nasal spray in seasonal allergic rhinitis (SAR).
  • The reduction in nasal symptoms conferred by Bentrio was 2.4 times larger than with saline nasal spray and clinically relevant.
  • Additional data, which have become subsequently available from the NASAR trial, confirm and reinforce the body of evidence demonstrating Bentrio’s efficacy in SAR management.
  • Further, the read-out from the NASAR trial suggest that Bentrio helps reduce the need for relief medication (cetirizine nasal spray).

Altamira Therapeutics Provides Business Update and First Half 2023 Financial Results

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, September 12, 2023

Company hosts 1H 2023 Financial Results and Business Update call today at 8 a.m.

Key Points: 
  • Company hosts 1H 2023 Financial Results and Business Update call today at 8 a.m.
  • ET
    Altamira Therapeutics Ltd. (NASDAQ:CYTO) ("Altamira" or the "Company"), a company dedicated to addressing unmet medical needs, today provided a business update and reported its first half 2023 financial results.
  • Net loss for the first half of 2023 was CHF 5.4 million compared with CHF 8.2 million for the first half of 2022.
  • ET to discuss its business update and first half 2023 results.

Rite Aid Announces Availability of OTC NARCAN® Nasal Spray at All Locations

Retrieved on: 
Monday, September 11, 2023

Rite Aid (NYSE: RAD) announced today that NARCAN® Nasal Spray, a medication used to reverse the effects of an opioid overdose, is available at all locations nationwide, including Bartell Drugs in the Pacific Northwest.

Key Points: 
  • Rite Aid (NYSE: RAD) announced today that NARCAN® Nasal Spray, a medication used to reverse the effects of an opioid overdose, is available at all locations nationwide, including Bartell Drugs in the Pacific Northwest.
  • It is now FDA-approved for OTC use and is available for purchase at Rite Aid stores nationwide and online at RiteAid.com.
  • “By making NARCAN® Nasal Spray easily accessible over the counter to Rite Aid customers, more people will have the ability to save a life,” said Summer Kerley, Vice President, Clinical Services and Market Access Solutions for Rite Aid.
  • “We encourage customers to ask their local Rite Aid pharmacist how they can be prepared to reverse an opioid emergency.”
    Each carton of NARCAN® Nasal Spray contains two single-dose devices.

Innovations and Rising Healthcare Expenditures Propel Global Nasal Spray Market to 6.2% CAGR Growth by 2031 - ResearchAndMarkets.com

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, September 5, 2023

The Global Nasal Spray Market, valued at $9.21 Billion in 2021, is projected to achieve significant growth, reaching $16.85 Billion by 2031.

Key Points: 
  • The Global Nasal Spray Market, valued at $9.21 Billion in 2021, is projected to achieve significant growth, reaching $16.85 Billion by 2031.
  • This growth is estimated to exhibit a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 6.2% from 2022 to 2031.
  • Conversely, heightened healthcare investments in both public and private sectors are poised to offer significant growth opportunities for the nasal spray market.
  • The report includes analysis of regional and global nasal spray market trends, key players, market segments, application areas, and growth strategies.

Emergent BioSolutions’ NARCAN® Nasal Spray Launches Over the Counter Making it Possible for Everyone to Help Save a Life from an Opioid Overdose Emergency

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, August 30, 2023

Over-the-counter (OTC) access to NARCAN® Nasal Spray offers more people the ability to respond in an opioid emergency, helping to save lives and keep loved ones and communities safe.

Key Points: 
  • Over-the-counter (OTC) access to NARCAN® Nasal Spray offers more people the ability to respond in an opioid emergency, helping to save lives and keep loved ones and communities safe.
  • “Picking up NARCAN® Nasal Spray at the store is not a sign that your family has “a problem,” in fact it shows you are prepared just in case.
  • The Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price of NARCAN® Nasal Spray is $44.99 per carton, which is equivalent to roughly $22.50 per dose.
  • While Emergent works with partners to help maintain access and affordability, the price of the product is set by individual retailers.

Walgreens Announces Over-the-Counter (OTC) NARCAN® Nasal Spray Will Become Available This September

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, August 30, 2023

Naloxone counteracts life-threatening depression of the central nervous and respiratory systems, allowing overdose victims to breathe normally again.

Key Points: 
  • Naloxone counteracts life-threatening depression of the central nervous and respiratory systems, allowing overdose victims to breathe normally again.
  • OTC NARCAN® Nasal Spray will retail at Walgreens stores for $44.99.
  • “This community-first effort with Walgreens will hopefully empower everyone to feel comfortable carrying and administering naloxone nasal spray,” said Theo Krzywicki, CEO and founder of End Overdose.
  • To learn more about Walgreens efforts and to watch the educational preparedness video , visit walgreens.com/topic/pharmacy/naloxone.jsp.