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Information updates

Call for EOIs from ASCIA Members for Allergy Education and Training Initiatives

ASCIA is facilitating education and training initiatives to upskill health professionals, as part of the National Allergy Council Shared Care for Allergy project.

ASCIA is now inviting Expressions of Interests (EOI) from ASCIA members for funding of initiatives that improve access and timely delivery of allergy education and training for health professionals.

An EOI  form to complete is available here. docxASCIA EOI Form 2024123.16 KB

EOIs should be no longer than four pages, excluding attachments (CV and budget details). Please email completed EOIs to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by 24 April 2024.

The allergy education and training initiative in your EOI should meet the following criteria:

  • Provide standardised, evidence-based and best practice allergy education and training for one or more of the following health professions;
    • General Practitioners
    • Paediatricians
    • Other Medical Practitioners (other than clinical immunology/allergy specialists and trainees)
    • Dietitians
    • Nurses
    • Pharmacists
    • Psychologists
  • Improve access to allergy education and training for health professionals, including those in regional, rural and remote areas
  • Budget of $10,000 up to $100,000 AUD per initiative
  • Can be piloted within 12 months (by the end of 2025)
  • Has the potential to be scaled up
  • Has measurable outcomes

Important Dates

  • Call for EOIs open: 14 March 2024
  • Call for EOIs close: 24 April 2024
  • Funding awarded: 26 June 2024

We look forward to receiving your EOIs.

Kind regards,

Theresa Cole
ASCIA President
 
Jill Smith
ASCIA CEO
 

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ASCIA Annual Conference and AIFA Research Grant Sponsorship

Planning is now well underway for the ASCIA 2024 Conference which will provide an international standard of CPD for ASCIA members and other health professionals working in allergy and clinical immunology. It will also provide an opportunity for important in-person interactions. The updated ASCIA 2024 Conference Sponsorship Prospectus includes an exhibition floorplan and. sponsorship needs to be confirmed by 30 June 2024, to enable allocation of exhibtiion stand locations by mid July 2024.

A new AIFA Research Grant Sponsorship Prospectus outlines opportunities for supporting research. AIFA is the only charity in Australia and New Zealand that specifically funds allergy and immunology research, and is backed by ASCIA. This means that 100% of donations and sponsorship directly fund AIFA research grants. Opportunities for donors and sponsors include named grants that are listed on the AIFA website and acknowledged at ASCIA Annual Conferences when AIFA grant recipients are announced and research is presented. Sponsorship for 2024 AIFA grants needs to be confirmed by mid March 2024, before the grant round opens.

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QR codes on ASCIA patient/carer information webpages

In response to requests from ASCIA members, ASCIA has added QR codes to 15 landing pages for ASCIA website Information for patients and carers, to improve access and reduce the need for printing. 

A Quicklinks document is available here, which can be printed as an A4 handout for patients and carers. 

pdfASCIA PC QR Code Quicklinks1.71 MB

ASCIA PC QR Code QuicklinksEach of the following webpages include a QR code directly below the instructions "Scan the QR codes below to view ASCIA information on a mobile phone:"

Allergy and anaphylaxis

Allergic rhinitis (hay fever) and sinusitis

Allergy prevention

Allergy and immunology testing

Allergy treatments

Asthma and allergy

Autoimmunity

Drug allergy

Food allergy

Food - other adverse reactions

Immunisation

Immunodeficiencies

Insect allergy (bites and stings)

Other allergies

Skin 

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Recent National Allergy Council Updates

Recent National Allergy Council Updates include:

Information about National Allergy Council projects is available at https://nationalallergycouncil.org.au/

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Latest Versions of ASCIA Action Plans for Anaphylaxis - February 2024 Update

Current ASCIA Action Plans are the 2023 versions. However, prior versions (2022 and 2021) are still valid for use in 2024. It is expected that it will take around 6-12 months to phase in the use of the new 2023 plans.

The plans are available open access on the ASCIA website:

ASCIA anaphylaxis e-training courses were updated in mid 2023 to include the 2023 versions of the plans:

ASCIA developed new 2023 versions of ASCIA Action Plans for Anaphylaxis, to improve ease of use. This is the first major formatting change in 20 years, since ASCIA Action Plans for Anaphylaxis were first introduced in 2003. 

Whilst the signs of, and actions for anaphylaxis are unchanged, other updates have been made to improve ease of use:

  1. Patient specific details are all completed in the top section.* 
  2. Signs of, and actions for mild to moderate allergic reactions are in two easy to follow lists. 
  3. Wording about allergen exposure is included in the asthma section at the end of the plan.
  4. Instructions for adrenaline injectors are colour coded.
  5. Instructions for both adrenaline injectors are included in the General version of the plan.
  6. Device specific versions of the plan for Anapen® and EpiPen® include changes 1-4 listed above and a QR code which links to short animated videos with adrenaline injector instructions.

* This formatting may also facilitate use with some EMR systems, subject to approval by ASCIA.  

The format of the following plans have also been updated to be consistent with the 2023 versions of the red ASCIA Action Plan for Anaphylaxis:

  • ASCIA Action Plan for Allergic Reactions (green)
  • ASCIA Action Plan for Drug (Medication) Allergy (dark green)
  • ASCIA First Aid Plan for Anaphylaxis (orange)
  • ASCIA Travel Plan for People at Risk of Anaphylaxis (red) for use with the red ASCIA Action Plan for Anaphylaxis

 A summary of updates is available here.

pdfASCIA Action Plan for Anaphylaxis 2023 - What's New431.38 KB

pdfASCIA Action Plan Allergic Reactions 2023 - What's New321.66 KB

pdfASCIA Action Plan Drug Allergy 2023 - What's New338.87 KB

pdfASCIA First Aid Plan Anaphylaxis 2023 - What's New415.79 KB 

pdfASCIA Travel Plan Anaphylaxis 2023 - What's New398.97 KB

All ASCIA Action, First Aid, Management, Transfer, Travel and Treatment Plans are available free of charge on the ASCIA website as PDFs that can be ompleted online,  download and print at https://www.allergy.org.au/hp/ascia-plans-action-and-treatment 

Health professionals can order hard copies (in full colour) of red ASCIA Action Plans for Anaphylaxis (General version - with instructions for Anapen and EpiPen), by submitting an order online using the HCP shop on the Anapen website - https://anapen.com.au/shop/. Password – arrotex. Alternatively, contact an Arrotex representative or contact Arrotex (distributor of Anapen in Australia) at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by calling 1800 761 964.

Health professionals can order hard copies (in full colour) of red ASCIA Action Plans for Anaphylaxis (EpiPen version), green ASCIA Action Plans for Allergic Reactions and orange ASCIA First Aid Plan for Anaphylaxis (EpiPen version) by emailing Viatris Customer Service (distributor of EpiPen in Australia) at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by calling 1800 274 276.

For further information about ASCIA Action Plans and other anaphylaxis resources go to www.allergy.org.au/anaphylaxis

Recently updated Best Practice Guidelines for Schools and Early Childhood Education/Care Centres are available here: 

https://allergyaware.org.au/best-practice-guidelines-for-anaphylaxis-prevention-and-management

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PBAC Meeting March 2024 - ASCIA Submissions

ASCIA has lodged five submissions on 24 January 2024 in support of applications for new or updated Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) listings of products (listed below) that are relevant to allergy and immunology. These applications are on the agenda of the  March 2024 Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC) meeting. 

The submissions can be accessed at https://www.allergy.org.au/ascia-submissions

AMINO ACID FORMULA SUPPLEMENTED WITH PREBIOTICS, PROBIOTICS AND LONG CHAIN POLYUNSATURATED FATTY ACIDS
Neocate® Syneo - Oral powder 400 g 
NUTRICIA AUSTRALIA PTY LIMITED
Clinical indications:
Cows' milk protein enteropathy
Severe cows' milk protein enteropathy with failure to thrive
Combined intolerance to cows' milk protein, soy protein and protein hydrolysate formulae
Proven combined immunoglobulin E (IgE) mediated allergy to cows' milk protein and soy protein
Cows' milk anaphylaxis
Severe intestinal malabsorption including short bowel syndrome
Eosinophilic oesophagitis To request Neocate® Syneo with new formulation continue to be listed on the PBS under the existing conditions.
Purpose of submission: To request Neocate® Syneo with new formulation continue to be listed on the PBS under the existing conditions
 
ANIFROLUMAB
Saphnelo® - Solution concentrate for I.V. infusion 300 mg in 2 mL vial
ASTRAZENECA PTY LTD
Clinical indication: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
Purpose of submission: Resubmission to request a Section 100 (Highly Specialised Drugs Program) Authority Required (Written) PBS listing for the treatment of severe SLE with a high level of disease activity despite standard therapy.
 
AVACOPAN
Tavneos® Capsule 10 mg
SEQIRUS (AUSTRALIA) PTY LTD
Clinical Indication: Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) and microscopic polyangiitis (MPA) Resubmission to request a General Schedule Authority Required (STREAMLINED) listing for treatment of severe active granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) and severe active microscopic polyangiitis (MPA) in combination with rituximab or cyclophosphamide.
Purpose of submission: New PBS listing
 
DUPILUMAB
Dupixent® - Injection 200 mg in 1.14 mL pre-filled syringe, Injection 300 mg in 2 mL pre-filled syringe
SANOFI-AVENTIS AUSTRALIA PTY LTD
Clinical indication: Asthma
Purpose of submission: To request a Section 100 (Highly Specialised Drugs Program) Authority Required (Written) PBS listing for the treatment of uncontrolled severe asthma in patients aged 6 to 11 years.
 
MEPOLIZUMAB
Nucala® - Powder for injection 100 mg, Injection 100 mg in 1 mL single dose pre-filled pen
GLAXOSMITHKLINE AUSTRALIA PTY LTD
Clinical indication: Uncontrolled severe asthma
Purpose of submission: To request a change to the restriction level of the existing PBS listings for initial treatment from Authority Required (Written) to Authority Required (Telephone/Online), and for continuing treatment from Authority Required (Written) to Authority Required (STREAMLINED) for the treatment of uncontrolled severe asthma.
The submission also requested a change to the current requirement for treating with oral corticosteroids as part of optimised asthma therapy for the initial treatment of uncontrolled severe asthma.
 
 
 

How to provide input

Feedback is due by 31 January 2024 for the March 2024 PBAC meeting agenda: 

https://www.pbs.gov.au/info/industry/listing/elements/pbac-meetings/agenda/march-2024-pbac-meeting

The PBAC welcomes input from patients, carers, health professionals, consumer groups or organisations and members of the public on medicines submitted for PBAC consideration. The PBAC considers these public consultation inputs when considering the clinical and economic evidence presented by the applicant.

  • Input can be submitted via the online survey.  A copy of the questions asked in the survey and additional guidance can be downloaded below under ‘Related’ to assist your preparation.
  • There is the option to upload a file with your submission. The preferred file types are PDF or Microsoft Word, however other file types will be accepted, provided they are no larger than 25mb. If your file is too large, or you wish to upload more than one file, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
  • You can save and come back at any time to your response before the consultation close date.
  • Once you have submitted, a copy of your submission will be emailed to the contact email address provided.
 
 

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New ASCIA Newborn Screening Resources

ASCIA has developed new resources to support newborn screening for Severe Combined Immune Deficiency (SCID), which is now available throughout Australia and New Zealand:

The FAQ includes answers to the following questioins:

Q 1. Why are SCID newborn screening tests performed in Australia and New Zealand?

Q 2. How are SCID newborn screening tests performed?

Q 3. When are further tests needed?

Advocacy for SCID newborn screening in Australia has been ongoing from ASCIA and patient.carer support organisations for several years, and is one of the goals for the ASCIA Immunodeficiency Strategy. 

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Updated ASCIA Adrenaline Injectors FAQ

ASCIA Adrenaline Injectors Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) has been updated to provide more information about PBS and Pharmac listings of adrenaline injectors in Australia and New Zealand. The updated FAQ is available on the ASCIA website https://www.allergy.org.au/hp/anaphylaxis/adrenaline-injectors-faqs

The updated information is shown below in blue..

Q 1: What adrenaline injectors are available in Australia and New Zealand?

ASCIA recommends the use of adrenaline (epinephrine) as the first line emergency/first aid treatment for severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) using either of the following two brands of adrenaline injector devices:

  • EpiPen® - Available in Australia (PBS* listed since 2003) and New Zealand (Pharmac** listed since 2023).
  • Anapen® - Available in Australia (PBS listed since 2021).

*Australian Government Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS)

The initial PBS authority prescription for up to two adrenaline injector devices can be provided to patients:
  • assessed to be at significant risk of anaphylaxis by a clinical immunology/allergy specialist, respiratory physician or a paediatrician, or by a GP in consultation with one of these specialists; or
  • after treatment with adrenaline for anaphylaxis when they are discharged from a hospital or emergency department.

A doctor (including a GP) or nurse practitioner can provide follow-up PBS authority prescriptions for replacement of devices just prior to expiry, or devices used for treatment of anaphylaxis.

**New Zealand Government Pharmaceutical Management Agency (Pharmac)

The initial Pharmac authority prescription for up to two adrenaline injector devices can be provided to patients:

  • assessed to be at significant risk of anaphylaxis by a relevant practitioner; or
  • who have experienced a previous anaphylactic reaction which has resulted in presentation to a hospital or emergency department.

Additional prescriptions are limited to replacement of devices just prior to expiry, or devices used for treatment of anaphylaxis. 

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