Former NFL quarterback, Super Bowl champion, and 2026 Hall of Fame inductee Drew Brees has teamed up with ARS Pharmaceuticals to launch a public health campaign. As a father of four who personally manages a severe peanut allergy alongside other food sensitivities, Brees is using his platform to spark meaningful conversations about severe Type I allergic reactions. The nationwide initiative focuses on everyday safety, emergency preparedness, and navigating severe allergy risks without letting them dictate your life.
The heart of the collaboration centers on widespread public education regarding anaphylaxis—a life-threatening allergic reaction—and the vital role that immediate treatment plays. Far too often, fear of severe reactions leads to isolation or intense anxiety for families. By highlighting how proper planning can fit seamlessly into everyday routines, Brees and ARS Pharma aim to show how patients can confidently travel, train, and enjoy family moments with peace of mind.
A significant hurdle the campaign addresses is the massive gap in epinephrine accessibility and usage, the only drug that can halt and reverse the progression of anaphylaxis, a serious and life-threatening allergic reaction. ARS Pharma revealed a startling statistic: over the last three years, roughly 20 million people were diagnosed and treated for severe Type I allergic reactions. However, in 2023, a mere 3.2 million individuals actually filled their active epinephrine auto-injector prescriptions. Even worse, only half of those who filled the prescriptions consistently carry the device with them.
Beyond simply carrying a device, real-world hesitation remains a dangerous roadblock during medical emergencies. Studies show that more than half of all patients or caregivers either delay administering epinephrine or fail to use it at all when a severe reaction begins. This widespread reluctance often stems from needle anxiety or confusion during high-stress moments, highlighting a critical need for alternative delivery options.
The public awareness campaign heavily emphasizes the availability of needle-free options like neffy®, an epinephrine nasal spray developed by ARS Pharmaceuticals. Approved for adults and children weighing 33 pounds or more, neffy offers a needle-free delivery method that easily integrates into a family’s daily safety routine. By eliminating the fear associated with needles, the treatment aims to reduce hesitation and encourage immediate action during an emergency.
Company leadership expressed immense enthusiasm about bringing the former football star on board to advocate for the cause. Richard Lowenthal, Co-founder and CEO of ARS Pharma, highlighted the unique perspective the champion athlete brings to the table. “Drew brings a powerful combination of credibility and authenticity to this collaboration,” Lowenthal stated. “By sharing his experience living with peanut and other food allergies, he helps elevate the conversation around severe allergic reactions and reinforces the importance of proactive conversations between patients, caregivers and healthcare providers about epinephrine treatment options, especially as families head into the summer months.”
Ultimately, Brees is leveraging his legendary team-first mentality to reshape how families approach allergy safety, stressing that a solid defense requires a collective effort. He underscores that keeping people safe is about communication and community support rather than dealing with the burden in isolation. “Being prepared isn’t something you do alone,” Brees noted. “When the people around you know the plan, it changes the dynamic. Everyone feels more confident.”
