Comment from Shane Cox

I strongly support requiring commercial aircraft to carry stock epinephrine auto-injectors and approved epinephrine nasal sprays as part of their onboard emergency medical equipment. As a traveler with a severe food allergy, I know firsthand that allergic reactions can occur unexpectedly, including during flights. While passengers with known allergies are encouraged to carry their own medication, emergencies can involve individuals who are unaware of their allergy, children whose medication is forgotten, damaged or expired auto-injectors, or situations where a passenger’s medication cannot be accessed quickly. Anaphylaxis is a time-critical medical emergency. The effectiveness of treatment depends on prompt administration of epinephrine. Aircraft already carry emergency medical equipment because medical emergencies occur in environments where immediate access to outside care is impossible. Stock epinephrine is a logical, evidence-based addition that could save lives. I encourage the FAA to require commercial aircraft to carry epinephrine auto-injectors and approved epinephrine nasal sprays and to ensure flight crews receive appropriate training on recognizing severe allergic reactions and facilitating rapid access to these medications. Passenger safety should not depend solely on whether an individual remembered to bring their own medication. A readily available supply of epinephrine onboard aircraft would provide an important additional layer of protection for the traveling public.