Prescribing of amino acid infant formula

Kemp, Andrew S

doi:10.5694/j.1326-5377.2004.tb06453.x

Topics

To the Editor: There appear to be regional differences in the prescribing of amino acid infant formula in Australia. This is possibly due to differing practices in use of this formula as a first-line treatment for cow’s milk allergy or as a strategy for preventing allergy. This has financial implications, as the cost to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) of amino acid formula is $371 per prescription, compared with $106 for hydrolysed protein formula.1

Correspondence:

1. Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing. Schedule of pharmaceutical benefits for approved pharmacists and medical practitioners. Effective from 1 August 2004. Available at: www1.health.gov.au/pbs/ (accessed Oct 2004).
2. Osborn D, Sinn J. Formulas containing hydrolysed protein for prevention of allergy and food intolerance in infants. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2003; 4: CD003664.
3. Host A, Halken S. Hypoallergenic formulas — when, to whom and how long: after more than 15 years we know the right indication! Allergy 2004; 59 Suppl 78: 45-52.
4. Giampietro PG, Kjellman NI, Oldaeus G, et al. Hypoallergenicity of an extensively hydrolyzed whey formula. Pediatr Allergy Immunol 2001; 12: 83-86.
5. Williams H, Robertson C, Stewart A, et al. Worldwide variations in the prevalence of symptoms of atopic eczema in the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood. J Allergy Clin Immunol 1999; 103: 125-138

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