[PRESS RELEASE]

Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America CEO Shares Patient Concerns About Restrictions to Allergen Immunotherapy at the AAAAI 2016 Symposium

Dr. Sennett addressed the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Annual Meeting today

Landover, M.D. (March 7, 2016) - The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA), America’s leading advocacy organization for individuals living with asthma, food allergies and other allergic diseases, today announced that AAFA’s CEO and President, Cary Sennett, MD, PhD, FACP, strongly expressed patient concerns regarding access to allergen immunotherapy (allergy shots) during a panel discussion at the AAAAI 2016 Symposium. The panel addressed proposed guideline changes recently made by the U.S. Pharmacopeial Convention (USP). Patients living with severe allergies may experience significant challenges accessing this beneficial and cost-effective treatment approach if the proposal is approved.

“AAFA does not support the changes proposed by USP because we believe they pose a real threat to quality of care,” said Dr. Sennett. “We strongly urge the USP to keep existing guidelines for allergen immunotherapy in place so that millions of patients across the United States can continue to receive the treatment they need.”

The panel discussion was moderated by Dr. Robert Lemanske, President of the AAAAI, and included leading allergy experts across private practice allergists, research centers, military medicine and healthcare regulation. Information about the proposed changes can be found here.

“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.”

About AAFA

Founded in 1953 and celebrating over 60 years of service, the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) is the oldest and largest nonprofit patient organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for people with asthma, allergies and related conditions through education, advocacy and research. AAFA provides practical information, community-based services, support and referrals through a national network of chapters and educational support groups. Through its Kids With Food Allergies division, AAFA offers the oldest, most extensive online support community for families raising children with food allergies at community.kidswithfoodallergies.org. In addition, AAFA sponsors and advocates for research to advance the basic science relevant to treatment and cure. It also champions translational research so that the science that we have is applied more consistently and reliably. For more information, visit aafa.org.

About AAAAI

The AAAAI represents allergists, asthma specialists, clinical immunologists, allied health professionals and others with a special interest in the research and treatment of allergic and immunologic diseases. Established in 1943, the AAAAI has more than 6,800 members in the United States, Canada and 72 other countries. The AAAAI’s Find an Allergist/Immunologist service is a trusted resource to help you find a specialist close to home.

About USP

The U.S. Pharmacopeial Convention (USP) is a scientific nonprofit organization that sets standards for the identity, strength, quality, and purity of medicines, food ingredients, and dietary supplements manufactured, distributed and consumed worldwide. USP’s drug standards are enforceable in the United States by the Food and Drug Administration, and these standards are used in more than 140 countries.

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