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Airline Access to Emergency Epinephrine Act

On August 5, U.S. Senators Mark Kirk (R-Ill.) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) introduced the Airline Access to Emergency Epinephrine Act (S.1972), which would improve access to life-saving medication for airline passengers with food and other severe allergies. The bill is also co-sponsored by Senators Mark Warner (D-VA) and Ben Cardin (D-Md).

This legislation would require airlines to maintain a supply of epinephrine autoinjectors (EAIs) on commercial aircraft and to train flight crews on proper administration in the event of an allergy attack.

In a letter of support sent to the Senators, AAAAI President Robert Lemanske, Jr., MD, FAAAAI, commented, “States across the country are enacting laws to ensure the availability of EAIs in schools as well as private entities such as restaurants, sports facilities, and amusement parks. This is based on the need for immediate treatment and the potential for death to occur before transfer can be made to a hospital emergency department. Clearly, this is of even greater concern on an airline flight thousands of feet above ground.”

Illustrating the need for this legislation is the story of AAAAI member Patricia Leonard, MD. Dr. Leonard helped a young girl who began showing signs of anaphylaxis while on an international flight.

You can also read the full letter of support sent by the AAAAI.