Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America CEO Cary Sennett, MD, PhD, FACP, addressed the American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI) symposium during a panel discussion on U.S. Pharmacopeial Convention rules regarding allergy immunotherapy. The USP guidelines would change the way patients may be able to access allergen immunotherapy treatments and services.
The AAFA CEO expressed concerns about the guidelines changes and states that they would pose a real threat to quality of care. Sennett urged the panel to disapprove of the guidelines changes and keep USP guidelines the way they are currently.
Others on the panel supported the AAFA position.
“As a practicing pediatric allergist, I want the USP to cancel their proposed changes to the current guidelines because I feel they will significantly impact my patients’ quality of life and the care I can provide,” said David Stukus, MD, FAAAAI. “I understand the USP wants to ensure treatment quality and safety, but more effective means exist to achieve that end without creating regulations that would likely increase cost and limit availability to my patients.”
The proposed changes, titled USP 797, would complicate mixing procedures for immunotherapy compounds, says the AAAAI. The proposed guideline changes are open for public comment until January 31 of 2017.
For more information on those proposed changes and to find the proposals themselves, see AAAAI.org.