Information updates

Aspen Pharmacare Australia Pty Ltd took over the distribution of the Novalac infant formula range from Bayer Pharmaceuticals on 1^st June 2022. 

As the distributor of Novalac Allergy, Aspen Pharmacare Australia Pty Ltd www.aspenpharma.com.au is working with the global manufacturer to ensure supply, particularly as babies who are fed Novalac Allergy Infant Formula are vulnerable patients with specialised nutrition requirements.

In recent months, global supply chains have come under strain from the impact of COVID-19 and geopolitical events such as the conflict zones in Europe. With the higher-than-average demand, stock levels of Novalac Allergy Infant Formula continue to be depleted at an accelerated pace.  

While limited availability continues, parents and carers should contact their local pharmacy to check stock levels prior to going in-store and, if the product cannot be found in-store, try online options: chemistwarehouse.com.au or priceline.com.au.

Some minor improvements to the Novalac Allergy formulation

Novalac  is constantly looking to improve the formulations to better meet the needs of babies with common feeding problems. Novalac Allergy has made improvements to some of the ingredients. The fish oil has now been replaced with 100% plant source which is rich in DHA and ARA, we have replaced glucose syrup with maltodextrin, as a result the volume per scoop and Nutrition Information Panel (NIP) has been adjusted accordingly. Please be assured that these improvements in Novalac Allergy continue to meet the nutrient requirements according to the FSANZ guidelines 2.9.5.

It is recommended that parents/carers speak to their healthcare professional who can provide medical advice about milk-substuiute products specifically for their baby if they have cow's milk (dairy) allergy, which are listed on the ASCIA website www.allergy.org.au/hp/papers/guide-for-milk-substitutes-cows-milk-allergy

With the recent listing of Rinvoq® on the PBS, the following ASCIA resources have been updated to include Dupixent® (dupilumab) and Rinvoq® (upadacitinib) treatments for severe eczema:

• ASCIA Eczema FAQ www.allergy.org.au/patients/skin-allergy/eczema

• ASCIA Action Plan for Eczema https://www.allergy.org.au/patients/skin-allergy/eczema-action-plan

• ASCIA Stepwise Management Plan for Eczema https://www.allergy.org.au/hp/papers/ascia-stepwise-management-plan-for-eczema

Both plans are also available at https://www.allergy.org.au/hp/ascia-plans-action-and-treatment#r4a

The FAQ has been updated with the following information under ‘Q 9: How should eczema flares and severe eczema be treated?.’

If prescribed, use a recently listed treatment for severe eczema. There are now two treatments for severe eczema that are listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) in Australia for people aged 12 years or older with severe eczema which has not responded to other prescribed topical treatments:

• Dupixent® (dupilumab) is an immune modulating treatment given by injection that is self-administered. Dupilumab works by modifying the body’s immune response to prevent inflammation that plays a central role in eczema, but it is not an immunosuppressant.
• Rinvoq® (upadacitinib) is a Janus Kinase 1 (JAK1) inhibitor, that is taken as an oral tablet. JAK enzymes create signals in the body's immune system that result in inflammation, so JAK inhibitors work by blocking these signals. This reduces inflammation and the production of immune cells within the body.

It is important to ask your clinical immunology/allergy specialist or dermatologist to see if you are eligible for one of these treatments for severe eczema, which target different parts of the immune system.

Upcoming webinar for ASCIA members: Uploading allergy information to My Health Record

Uploading information about a patient’s allergies and adverse reactions is important for their safety because it becomes available to other healthcare providers that treat them. Documents uploaded to My Health Record by specialists and viewed by other healthcare providers increased by 23% in January 2022.

Upcoming webinar: Uploading allergy information to My Health Record

Find out how to upload allergy information in a 30-minute webinar specifically for ASCIA members. Dr William Smith (Clinical immunology/allergy specialist) and Dr Kathy Rainbird (Australian Digital Health Agency) will explain how you can do this directly from your clinical software. The webinar will include a step-through demonstration using Genie software and time for questions.

Date and time: 8pm AEDT (5pm WST) Thursday 31 March 2022

Register: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/3760776590315362830

Suitable for: Specialists using a range of conformant clinical software.

The National Allergy Strategy has developed a new series of short videos to help parents feed their babies the common allergy causing foods, as part of the Nip allergies in the Bub allergy prevention program.

Four videos have been developed (one for each stage of feeding development), which demonstrate how to prepare recipes taken from the Nip allergies in the Bub recipe booklet. One of the key recipes included in the first foods video is how to prepare a nut and seed mix, making sure the nuts and seeds are finely ground to prevent choking.

Click here to view the videos.

The Nip allergies in the Bub recipe booklet has also been updated. We have also updated to include photos of the recipes that are featured in the videos.

Click here to view the recipe booklet.

The Nip allergies in the Bub website www.preventallergies.org.au  has undergone a major review to make sure the content is consistent with the latest food allergy prevention evidence-base and best-practice. ReadSpeaker has also been added to the website to allow for content to be read aloud and/or translated into more than 20 languages.

The Nip allergies in the Bub allergy prevention program is based on ASCIA Guidelines for Infant Feeding and Allergy Prevention. A new Australian allergy prevention study shows that prevention measures, as outlined in the ASCIA Guidelines, are having a measurable impact on the population prevalence of food-related anaphylaxis presentations to hospital. To read more go to www.allergy.org.au/about-ascia/info-updates/new-allergy-prevention-study

The ASCIA Guide - Milk Substitutes in Cow’s Milk Allergy has been updated to include a new amino acid formula option, 'Essential Care Jr' which is available from Cortex Health and listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).  

The updated ASCIA Guide is available at www.allergy.org.au/hp/papers/guide-for-milk-substitutes-cows-milk-allergy

The ASCIA Guide can be used to advise parents and carers who are affected by recent supply issues for specialised infant formula from the following companies:

• Abbott - Some EleCare, Similac and Alimentum products www.allergy.org.au/about-ascia/info-updates/infant-formula-recall
• Bayer - Novalac Allergy www.allergy.org.au/about-ascia/info-updates/bayer-novalac-allergy-infant-formula-update
• Nutricia - Allerpro Syneo Stages 1 and 2, Pepti Junior and Neocate Junior Unflavoured www.allergy.org.au/about-ascia/info-updates/nutricia-allergy-formula-supply-issues

New ASCIA anaphylaxis refresher e-training for health professionals takes around 45 minutes to complete, includes EpiPen and Anapen training, and has been developed to upskill or provide interim refresher training. The course is suitable for medical practitioners (including GPs, paediatricians and physicians), pharmacists, nurse practitioners and nurses, dietitians and other allied healthcare professionals.  To register go to  https://etraininghp.ascia.org.au/

This short course includes four modules:

• Module 1: Allergy and Anaphylaxis
• Module 2: Adrenaline (Epinephrine) 
• Module 3: Anaphylaxis Management, Prescribing and Referral Guidelines
• Module 4: Final Assessment - a certificate confirms successful completion when 100% is obtained.

Learning outcomes:

1. Differentiate between a mild to moderate allergic reaction and anaphylaxis.

2. Outline acute management for mild or moderate allergic reactions and anaphylaxis.

This course should be used to upskill or as interim refresher training. It does not replace the full ASCIA anaphylaxis e-training course for health professionals, which takes around 1.5 hours to complete and includes detailed modules about epidemiology, diagnosis, acute management of anaphylaxis and allergy to stings and bites.

If health professionals have completed the full 2021 ASCIA course, but not the updated 2021-2 course which includes Anapen, as well as EpiPen training, then they can complete  ASCIA anaphylaxis refresher e-training as it includes EpiPen and Anapen training.

ASCIA gratefully acknowledges sponsors listed on the ASCIA website www.allergy.org.au/about-ascia/sponsors who provide unrestricted educational grants that have supported the development of this course.

About ASCIA anaphylaxis e-training courses

• ASCIA has provided anaphylaxis e-training courses since 2010, and there are more than 100,000 registrations for ASCIA courses each year from Australia and New Zealand.
• Development and updating of all ASCIA e-training courses involves an extensive review process that involves ASCIA members and other stakeholders.
• ASCIA retains copyright and control of all ASCIA e-training courses. Content is regularly reviewed and updated when there are changes in published evidence and products. 

ASCIA anaphylaxis resources are available at www.allergy.org.au/anaphylaxis

CSL Behring is hosting a webinar on the key highlights from the AAAAI 2022 Annual Meeting on Wednesday 23rd March 2022, from 6.00 – 7.15 pm AEDST (5.00 - 6.15 pm Brisbane / 5.30 – 6.45 pm Adelaide / 3.00 – 4.15 pm Perth / 8.00 – 9.15 pm Auckland).  The program and presenters are listed below.

To register go tohttps://event.on24.com/wcc/r/3655443/EB004EB050F9323BD09D311BD2383C34

For more details please refer to the pdf: AAAAI Highlights 23 March 2022 Invitation484.04 KB

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A new study published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (JACI)* shows that food allergy prevention measures may be working. The study looks at hospital admissions in Australia for severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis), and reports that the rate of increase in anaphylaxis to food among children has flattened, with the changing of advice to feed babies the common allergy causing foods by 12 months of age. 

*JACI is an official scientific journal of the AAAAI, and is the most-cited journal in the field of allergy and clinical immunology worldwide. 

https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0091674922000811

The main aim of the study was to see if changes to the Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA) Guidelines for infant feeding and allergy prevention had any impact on hospital admission rates for childhood food allergy. ASCIA guidelines have changed in response to published studies over the last 15 years, from a recommendation to ‘delay’ allergenic foods (1999 to 2007) to ‘not delay’ (2008) and then later to ‘introduce early and often’ (since 2016). 

This study provides the first real-world evidence showing that food allergy prevention measures (as outlined in ASCIA Guidelines for Infant feeding and Allergy Prevention), are having a measurable impact on the population prevalence of food-related anaphylaxis presentations to hospital.

ASCIA Guidelines for infant feeding and allergy prevention and ASCIA How to Introduce Solid Foods for Allergy Prevention FAQ  are amongst the most popular webpages on the ASCIA website since the Guidelines were updated in 2016.

Through the National Allergy Strategy, a partnership between ASCIA and Allergy & Anaphylaxis Australia (A&AA), online resources are available on the Nip Allergies in the Bub website www.preventallergies.org (which are based on ASCIA Guidelines), that provide simple and practical information to help parents introduce the common allergy causing foods to their babies. A new series of short videos to help parents feed their babies the common allergy causing foods are now available. To read more go to www.allergy.org.au/about-ascia/info-updates/new-nip-allergies-in-the-bub-infant-feeding-videos

Allergy prevention study media release: www.mcri.edu.au/news/serious-allergic-reactions-food-among-children-stabilise-guideline-changes