AllerQuest is delighted to announce that Pre-Pen® was approved for marketing by the FDA on September 18, 2009, and that we have entered into a partnership with ALK-Abelló who will market Pre-Pen® in the United States, and eventually world-wide.
A joint press release for the two companies was issued on September 30, 2009 and is reproduced below. It contains web-links to additional information about Pre-Pen® availability. We are grateful to the many supporters of this development project, and pledge our ongoing diligence in producing a quality-assured and dependable skin testing product.
AllerQuest, LLC
PRE-PEN Announcement
AllerQuest, LLC announces that PRE-PEN® has been acquired by the pre-eminent allergy pharmaceutical company ALK-Abelló, effective January 2, 2024. ALK-Abelló is now the sole manufacturer and distributor of the only FDA-approved diagnostic skin test available for the evaluation of penicillin allergy (see https://www.alk.net for announcement from ALK-Abelló). ALK-Abelló has been the distribution partner of AllerQuest, LLC for more than 14 years. Going forward under ALK-Abelló’s stewardship of PRE-PEN®, allergists and other healthcare providers will continue to receive a safe and effective diagnostic agent to exclude the presence of penicillin allergy in patients mislabeled as penicillin allergic (see https://www.penallergytest.com for instructions for the use of PRE-PEN® and for prescribing information). Orders for PRE-PEN® may continue to be placed via ALK Customer Service at 800.325.7354. Your local ALK allergy consultant can assist with any other needs you may have.About ALK
ALK is a research driven global pharmaceutical company focusing on allergy
treatment, prevention and diagnosis. ALK is the world leader in allergy vaccination (immunotherapy)—a treatment that induces a protective immune response which reduces and potentially halts the allergic reaction.
Further information is available at www.alk-abello.us.
About AllerQuest, LLC
AllerQuest’s mission is to develop skin test reagents to safely and accurately identify patients who are at risk for potentially life-threatening reactions to penicillin antibiotics. The company strives to ensure a reliable source of high quality test reagents to assist physicians in the diagnosis of penicillin allergy.
Why PRE-PEN
In the USA, around 10% of population – or 30 million people – are medically labeled as allergic to penicillins. More than 90% of patients who consider themselves allergic to penicillin are not really allergic when assessed by skin testing. This means almost 9 out of 10 patients can safely take penicillin and related products.1
Why the Misconception:
- Symptom confusion
- Immune system changes
Penicillin products are a group of safe, effective antimicrobial agents that have fewer adverse effects than many stronger alternatives (ALTERNATIVE) antibiotics. Most penicillin products are more affordable than alternative antimicrobial agents.
Why it matters:
- Costs
- More appropriate treatment, more specific and fewer side effects
- Combat antibiotic resistance
1. Salkind, JAMA May 16, 2001 – Vol 285, No 19