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Archived Comments for: Current status and future perspectives of immunotherapy in Latin America and Cuba

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  1. Clarification on the use of allergenic extracts in Argentina

    Juan Carlos Ivancevich, del Salvador University. Immunology. Santa Isabel Clinic, Buenos Aires, Argentina

    17 November 2014

    The article cites that in Argentina allergen extracts for specific immunotherapy are prepared locally.

    This is only partly true, since most of the allergenic extracts used by allergists in Argentina are from European (Spain (Inmunotek), UK (Allergy Therapeutics) & France (Stallergenes)) and USA (Greer Labs.) origin.

    Only a small proportion are extracts of local production.(1 of the 5 laboratories in the market) 

    "In 90% of countries, allergists use allergen extracts from the United States (subcutaneous immunotherapy) and Europe (sublingual and subcutaneous immunotherapies)............"1

    1. Baena-Cagnani CE1, Larenas Linnemann D, Gómez M, Díaz SG, Solé D, Borges MS, Bousquet J, Sisul JC, Canonica GW, Gereda J, Passalacqua G; SLAAI Immunotherapy Working Group.Collaborators (31)Aldrey O, Asayag E, Badellino HA, de Barayazarra S, Villa RC, Castillo A, Cepeda AM, Chérrez I, Cox L, Croce VH, Croce J, Cuello MN, de Falco A, Guggiari J, Guzmán M, Haller R, Ivancevich JC, Jares EJ, Ledford D, Marinovich M, San Román JM, Mösges R, Pérez NR, Rossi GA, Soria M, Tebyriçá J, Teijeiro A, Pereira MU, Rostán MV, Vinuesa MA, Yáñez A.

    Allergy training and immunotherapy in Latin America: results of a regional overview.

    Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2013 Nov;111(5):415-419.e1. doi: 10.1016/j.anai.2013.08.011. Epub 2013 Sep 10.

    Competing interests

    I have no competing interests.

    Juan C. Ivancevich, MD

  2. Replying to "Clarification on the use of allergenic extracts in Argentina"

    Alexis Labrada, National Center Bioproducts

    1 December 2014

    As far as we know precise data about product origin and use are lacking, may be in countries with a more advance regulatory frame in this subject (Cuba, Brasil, Argentina) it would be possible to get public data. When products are subjected to full Registration (Licensing), as in Cuba and Brasil, establishing a pharmacovigilance system is a requirement. Then, reviewing data on product use is mandatory for the manufacturer.
    Sometimes, raw extracts are from European or US manufacturers, but the final product (dilution, mixes, etc) are prepared by local laboratories. We know that it is common in Mexico and to some extent in Brasil.  For safety and efficacy, both issues can be important: quality of the source material/active ingreiente and right concentration and quality of the finished product (the vaccine, properly).

    Competing interests

    I have no competing interests.

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