ASCIA News

ASCIA 2018 Conference registration is now open

Registration is now open at www.ascia2018.com for the ASCIA 2018 conference, the 29th annual conference of the Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA). The ASCIA 2018 conference will run for 3 days, from Wednesday 5 to Friday 7 September 2018 at the National Convention Centre in Canberra. ...

EpiPen® supply update

17 May 2018: EpiPen® 300mcg adrenaline (epinephrine) autoinjectors continue to be distributed each week via wholesalers to pharmacies. Mylan has recently introduced an EpiPen toll-free hotline 1800 931 625 for inquiries about supply. If a pharmacy is out of stock the pharmacist should contact their wholesa...

How to remove ticks to prevent allergic reactions

8 May 2018: The ASCIA website article on tick allergy has been updated to highlight the following information on how to remove ticks to prevent allergic reactions. To prevent allergic reactions to ticks do NOT forcibly remove the tick. Disturbing the tick may cause the tick to inject more allergen-containi...

Update on supply of venom immunotherapy products in Australia and New Zealand

5 May 2018: As previously communicated, events overseas have impacted the ability of Stallergenes Greer to supply venom immunotherapy products to Australia and New Zealand. Stallergenes Greer has now advised ASCIA of the following supply update. Honey Bee venom Hymenoptera Honey Bee venom is now available in...

Changes to Medicare-funded allergy testing - effective 1 November 2018

5 May 2018: The Australian Government is making changes to Medicare-funded dermatology, allergy and immunology services, following recommendations from the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) Review Taskforce. New restrictions on allergen testing will be introduced on 1 November 2018 to discourage testing for more...

ASCIA website update – new documents about how to introduce solid foods for allergy prevention (FAQ) and oral immunotherapy (OIT) for food allergy

2 May 2018: The following two new ASCIA documents for parents, patients, carers and consumers are now available on the ASCIA website: How to introduce solid foods for allergy prevention - in a new frequently asked questions (FAQ) format Oral immunotherapy (OIT) for food allergy How to intr...

Shortage of venom immunotherapy products: honey bee, paper wasp and yellow jacket - Supply update from Stallergenes Greer

13 April 2018: As communicated in March 2018, events overseas have impacted the ability of Stallergenes Greer to supply venom immunotherapy products to Australia and New Zealand. The first direct shipment of venom products from JHS to Australia has now arrived, and ASCIA has received the following advice: ...

Novalac Allergy infant formula is back in supply

27 March 2018: Bayer Australia Ltd (Bayer), has advised ASCIA that the infant formula Novalac Allergy is back in supply and now being delivered to wholesalers for distribution to pharmacies. Over the next ten working days this stock will be added to supply already in pharmacies across Australia. The&n...

Temporary shortage of Stallergenes Greer allergen immunotherapy products

22 March 2018: Stallergenes Greer has notified ASCIA of a temporary shortage in the supply of the subcutaneous (SCIT) injectable allergen immunotherapy products. The supply of Stallergenes Greer sublingual allergen immunotherapy (SLIT) products is not impacted. Despite this temporary supply shortage from t...

New stock of EpiPen® 300mcg adrenaline (epinephrine) autoinjectors

5 March 2018: Mylan has confirmed that new stock of EpiPen® 300mcg adrenaline autoinjectors arrived last week and will be available in pharmacies this week. This will be followed by further new stock arriving soon. Please note that stock levels will take some time to return to normal, so to ensure tho...

Shortage of venom immunotherapy products: honey bee, paper wasp and yellow jacket

2 March 2018: Stallergenes Greer has recently received information affecting supply of all venom immunotherapy products to Australia and New Zealand, including Honey Bee venom, Paper Wasp venom and Yellow Jacket venom. This change in circumstances is due to news about a shutdown of ALK manufacturing facili...

February 28 is Rare Disease Day

28 February 2018: In 2018 the theme for Rare Disease Day is research. Research brings hope to the millions of people living with a rare disease across the world and their families. It is critically important to identify treatments and cures. A rare disease is defined as one that affects 1 in 2000 of t...

Further Update - EpiPen® 300mcg adrenaline (epinephrine) autoinjectors supply delay

23 February 2018: Mylan has advised that new stock of EpiPen® 300mcg adrenaline autoinjectors is now due to arrive by Friday 2 March and is expected to be available in pharmacies the following week. This will be followed by further new stock arriving soon afterwards. This has been updated since the previou...

ASCIA anaphylaxis e-training for early childhood education/care - ACECQA approved

13 February 2018: The Australian Children's Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA) has assessed and reapproved ASCIA anaphylaxis e-training for early childhood education/care on 7 February 2018, up until the end of February 2021. The course was previously known as 'ASCIA anaphylaxis e-training for Austral...

Update - EpiPen® 300mcg adrenaline (epinephrine) autoinjectors supply

February 9, 2018: Mylan has advised that normal stock of EpiPen® 300mcg adrenaline autoinjectors is expected to be available in pharmacies by late February 2018. A process has been put in place by Mylan to ensure those at risk of anaphylaxis have access to the treatment they may need. Currently there ...

AIFA’s 2018 grant round opens 15 January

January 10, 2018: Submissions for AIFA's 2018 grant round open on 15 January and close on 6 April 2018. Please note that the closing date has been extended - it was previously 15 March 2018. AIFA supports innovative early stage projects, encourages collaborative research, prioritises early career research...

ASCIA Highlights 2017 and Priorities for 2018

December 21, 2017: As we approach the holiday season we would like to take this opportunity to thank ASCIA members, staff and supporters. Your significant and generous contributions over the past year are greatly appreciated. ASCIA has achieved so much in 2017, as summarised in the “ASCIA Highlights 2017”...