Updated ASCIA anaphylaxis guidelines and authority form
The following ASCIA anaphylaxis guidelines and authority form have been updated due to a change in supply of Anapen® adrenaline (epinephrine) injectors in Australia:
ASCIA Guidelines - Adrenaline (Epinephrine) Injector Prescription and ASCIA Guidelines - Acute Management of Anaphylaxis – have both been updated to only include EpiPen® Jr (150 microgram), EpiPen® (300 microgram) and Anapen® 500 (500 microgram) adrenaline (epinephrine) injector devices.
Request for initial adrenaline injector to be provided on PBS Authority prescription by clinical immunology/allergy specialist - this form has been updated to include Anapen® 500, as well as EpiPen® and EpiPen® Jr, and to make the form easier to find on the ASCIA website.
Information about the change in supply of Anapen® in Australia is available here
Updated ASCIA guide for milk substitutes in cow’s milk allergy
The ASCIA Guide for Milk Substitutes in Cow’s Milk Allergy has been updated due to Alfaré® (Nestlé Health Science) extensively hydrolysed formula (eHF) being discontinued in Australia and removed from the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) from 1 August 2024. Read more here
Nestlé Health Science has also informed ASCIA that only the updated recipe of Alfamino® amino acid formula for infants will be available on the PBS from 1 August 2024. Since 1 September 2023, both the newer and older recipe Alfamino® products have been available on the PBS. Read more here
ASCIA FAQ updated to include allergic reactions to andrographis
The ASCIA website article on Adverse Reactions to Complementary and Alternative Medicine has been updated to include information about allergic reactions to Andrographis paniculata.
This herb is commonly used in Indian and Chinese medicine and is known as the 'king of bitters'. Since 2019, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has received more than 200 reports of severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) and/or hypersensitivity reactions to medicines containing andrographis, including a report of fatal anaphylaxis in June 2024. Read more hereÂ
Other recent ASCIA website updates
- ASCIA Online Anaphylaxis Training Reports are available here
- ASCIA Quicklinks (QR codes) are available here
- ASCIA Code of Conduct is available here
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New Australian hereditary angioedema publication
A study on hereditary angioedema (HAE) prevalence and satisfaction with prophylaxis in South Australia has been published in the World Allergy Organization Journal in 2024. This study was funded by an AIFA (Allergy and Immunology Foundation of Australasia) Primary Immunodeficiency Research Grant that was awarded in 2020. Read more here
Activity based funding for subcutaneous immunoglobulin therapy
The Independent Health and Aged Care Pricing Authority has announced Activity Based Funding (ABF) from July 2024 for home delivered subcutaneous immunoglobulin (SCIg) infusion therapy (2.11) in its Tier 2 Non-Admitted Services Compendium 2024–2025.
This means that SCIg infusion therapy performed by the patient in their own home without the presence of a healthcare provider may now be counted as a non-admitted patient service event, provided there is documentation of the procedures in the patient’s medical record. Read more here
Registration is still open for the ASCIA 2024 Conference
It is not too late to register to attend the ASCIA 2024 Conference in-person at the Adelaide Convention Centre or online, for the latest updates by more than 60 speakers on food, drug, insect and respiratory allergy, immunodeficiency and autoimmunity. The program also includes allergy updates for nurses, dietitians and medical practitioners.
To register go to https://ascia2024.com/registration
New treatment for severe lupus listed on PBS 1 July 2024
Saphnelo® (anifrolumab) has been listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) for patients with severe Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), with high disease activity despite standard of care from 1 July 2024. Read more hereÂ
TGA consultation on reforms to therapeutic goods regulations
The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) is seeking public comment on proposed reforms to Part 5 of the Therapeutic Goods Regulations 1990, which aim to strengthen and modernise the legislative framework for the examination, testing and analysis of therapeutic goods. Submissions are due by 18 August 2024. Read more here
Regularly updated ASCIA webpages
The following ASCIA webpages are regularly updated:
ASCIA Reports
Locate a Specialist
ASCIA Submissions
Allergy/Immunology Positions
Medical Product Supply Updates
Allergy and Immunology Research
Conference, Meetings and Events Calendar
ASCIA gratefully acknowledges the generous support of all sponsors listed on the ASCIA website www.allergy.org.au/about-ascia/sponsors
