APRIL 16, 2018

Pharmacists Can Sleuth If Penicillin Allergy Is Real

Testing protocol shows 35% of patients lacked sensitivity to antibiotic

By David Wild

Health-system pharmacists are well positioned to lead penicillin allergy testing programs, experts said. Despite the financial and clinical benefits of eliminating false penicillin allergies, not all hospitals have an allergy specialist on-site to interview patients and perform intradermal testing.

“This is where pharmacists can fill an important role,” said Kevin McConeghy, PharmD, a research fellow at the Providence VA Medical Center, in Rhode Island. “Since we