A questionnaire survey on the supply of intracutaneous reaction test materials from pharmaceutical companies

Since the intracutaneous reaction tests of injectable antimicrobials were concluded to be ineffective in the prediction of anaphylactic reaction due to these drugs in 2003, it was decided to suspend these reaction tests. However, the materials for intracutaneous reaction tests remain available. We conducted a questionnaire involving 38 pharmaceutical companies that produce intracutaneous reaction test materials. We collected valid responses from 32 companies (a response rate of 91%). In 2009, intracutaneous reaction test materials were available for 93 drug products, although the number of shipments had decreased to 1,630,000. As the reason for continued supply of intracutaneous reaction test materials to clinical facilities, 28 of the 29 companies that responded to the question cited "request from clinical facilities". The pharmaceutical companies received inquiries regarding the methods for predicting anaphylaxis caused by antimicrobials, including the preparation of test solutions, the method for conducting a prick test, and information provided by relevant academic societies and the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. To avoid intracutaneous reaction tests to predict anaphylaxis, and provide effective antimicrobial therapy in clinical practice, it is important for medical professionals including MR and MS as well as medical doctors and pharmacists, to share proper information regarding the method to predict anaphylaxis due to injectable antimicrobials.