Learn about the latest research around access to epinephrine and our advocacy efforts behind this priority. Discover our efforts in the foodservice space, plus participate in an international research study. Check out our mythbuster: Can Benadryl® be used instead of epinephrine to treat anaphylaxis? Find the answer!
Advocacy in action and research: Access to epinephrine
Access to epinephrine is one of our advocacy priorities. Whether anaphylaxis happens at school, in a community setting, or somewhere else in public, having epinephrine readily available can be critical in the minutes before emergency medical help arrives.
Recent research shows how legislation can improve access in schools, while new national polling shows strong public support for making life-saving treatments available in public spaces. Together, these findings strengthen our advocacy efforts on ensuring epinephrine is accessible wherever people learn, work, gather, and participate in their communities. Learn more below.
New research shows school legislation can improve anaphylaxis response and education
Research shows Alberta’s 2020 law requiring schools to stock emergency epinephrine devices is making a real difference. Stock epinephrine is like having a public defibrillator (AED) or a first aid kit: it is not prescribed to a specific person but is available in emergencies for anyone who needs it.
Alberta’s Protection of Students with Life-Threatening Allergies Act requires all schools to keep at least one epinephrine device on hand and follow an anaphylaxis prevention and response plan. Researchers using data from the Cross-Canada Anaphylaxis Registry looked at 59 cases of pediatric anaphylaxis that occurred at Stollery Children’s Hospital in Edmonton, Alberta from 2016-2024 — comparing what happened before and after the law took effect.
The results are encouraging: Epinephrine device use in school anaphylaxis cases nearly doubled after the law passed — from 35.7% to 64.5% of cases.
Why it matters: When anaphylaxis occurs prompt epinephrine use is critical, and having stock epinephrine on hand can help ensure life-saving treatment is accessible the moment it’s needed, bridging critical gaps in safety. This study offers real-world evidence that clear policies requiring schools to carry stock epinephrine devices makes an impact — and will help to support advocacy for similar legislation in other provinces.
“Having epinephrine available is only part of the solution. People need to know how to recognize anaphylaxis, understand that epinephrine should be given promptly, and have access to it when an emergency occurs,” said Jennifer Gerdts, our Executive Director. “Legislation can put both pieces in place — ensuring schools have the education, training, and protocols to respond, while making epinephrine readily accessible when it is needed.”
Alberta is currently the only province with legislation requiring schools to have stock epinephrine.
New findings support the case for stock epinephrine in public spaces
To help with our advocacy efforts, we conducted a national survey of more than 1,500 Canadians and found that 83% of people agree life-saving treatments for severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) should be easily accessible in public spaces, similar to how AEDs are for cardiac emergencies.
Jennifer Gerdts, our Executive Director, noted: “For many individuals and families, managing the risk of a severe allergic reaction is part of everyday life. Canadians are telling us they want life-saving treatment to be available in the places where people learn, gather and participate in community life. Expanding access to epinephrine devices in public spaces is a practical step that can help save lives. This access becomes even more critical in rural or remote settings where emergency care may not be easily available.”
Advocacy in action: Making food allergy a priority in foodservice
Last month, we made significant strides for the food allergy community at the Canadian Institute of Public Health Inspectors (CIPHI) National Conference. We delivered a presentation that emphasized how inspectors, who visit restaurants, can promote our Think Food Allergy resources and tools to strengthen allergen management in the foodservice industry.
By empowering Public Health Inspectors to share this vital information, we are helping foodservice establishments to be better equipped to meet the needs of the food allergy community.
While we continue our long-term advocacy for standardized allergen management practices, we are taking action now to make a difference. Our efforts this year are helping to shape a safer foodservice landscape, ensuring Canadians with food allergy can eat out with confidence.
Learn more
Participate in research: Take part in an international allergy and asthma survey
We are proud to be part of a global task force with the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (EAACI) to better understand the challenges young people face as they transition from paediatric care to adult allergy and asthma care.
Help improve the transition from paediatric to adult allergy care
Are you a young person (aged 16-25) or a parent of a child (aged 11-25) with an allergic condition or asthma? Take part in this 10-to-15-minute online survey to share your experiences and perspectives.
Researchers are aiming to better understand young people’s experiences during the transition from paediatric care to adult allergy and asthma care, from the perspectives of young people and parents. This includes learning about the support available to help young people develop the skills and confidence they need to manage their allergies and asthma independently. Your input can help identify what’s working well, what could be improved, and where additional support may be needed.
The findings may help inform the development of educational and support strategies to address unmet needs.
The deadline to participate in this study is September 20th, 2026. Take the survey now and share your experiences.
Mythbuster: Can Benadryl® be used instead of epinephrine to treat anaphylaxis?
FACT: NO, epinephrine is the first-line treatment for anaphylaxis. Antihistamines, like Benadryl®, do not halt the progression of symptoms of anaphylaxis and should not be used instead of epinephrine. They can be given after epinephrine, but are mostly for comfort to relieve itching. Newer antihistamines like Reactine®, Claritin® or Aerius®, are recommended over Benadryl®, which does not work as quickly and can cause drowsiness.
Learn more
This webinar explains why epinephrine is first-line treatment and provides details on both EpiPen® epinephrine auto-injectors and neffy® epinephrine nasal spray.
Learn more about the safety concerns with first-generation antihistamines like Benadryl® and what to use instead. *Please note, this webinar does not have the latest information on the epinephrine devices available in Canada.
Read the details of the study: “Diphenhydramine: It is time to say a final goodbye”.
Help us educate your communities and share this mythbuster with them! Find more mythbusters at foodallergycanada.ca/mythbusters.
Tags: advocacy, Benadryl, diphenhydramine, foodservice, Research, stock epinephrine, survey