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Representatives Hoyer and Roe Introduce Legislation Championed by the Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network to Allow Schools to Administer and Stock Epinephrine


Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer (D-MD) with FAAN CEO Maria L. Acebal.

Rep. Phil Roe with Brianna and Rhonda Adkins, daughter and wife of country music star Trace Adkins.

FAIRFAX, Va. (Dec. 8, 2011) – Today Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer (D-MD) and Rep. Phil Roe (R-TN) introduced the School Access to
Emergency Epinephrine Act, legislation championed by the Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN™). This bill encourages states to adopt laws requiring schools to have on hand “stock” epinephrine auto-injectors – meaning epinephrine that is not prescribed specifically to a single student but can be used for any student and staff member in an anaphylactic emergency.

In addition to protecting those whose epinephrine auto-injector isn’t immediately accessible during a reaction, this legislation will help save the lives of those who experience an anaphylactic reaction and don’t have a prescribed epinephrine auto-injector. Studies estimate that up to 25% of all epinephrine administrations that occur in the school setting involve individuals whose risk for allergy was unknown at the time of the event.

On Nov. 17, Sens. Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Mark Kirk (R-IL) introduced the bill (S.1884) in the Senate. Several states, including Illinois and Georgia, have already passed similar laws. The legislation is now being presented at the national level to provide an incentive for more states to enact their own laws allowing school personnel to be prepared to treat life-threatening reactions.

“As scary as an anaphylactic reaction can be, the key to saving a life is so simple: quick access to epinephrine,” said FAAN CEO Maria L. Acebal. “We are so very grateful to Representatives Hoyer and Roe for their leadership in taking this important step to protect the lives of all children at risk of anaphylaxis.”

 “I am proud to introduce this vital legislation which could one day help save a child’s life. As the grandfather of a 9 year-old girl with a severe peanut allergy, I understand the importance of having epinephrine at the ready,” said Democratic Whip Hoyer. “This commonsense policy will assure families that school personnel are prepared to act in the event of an emergency. I want to thank the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network for all of their hard work on this important issue.”

As a physician, Rep. Roe has seen the life-saving effects of epinephrine. In fact, he once saved the life of a landscaper working in his yard who had an anaphylactic reaction to an insect sting. “I am pleased to introduce the School Access to Emergency Epinephrine Act because it could save a life,” said Rep. Roe. “To prevent a fatal outcome, we need to make epinephrine pens available in our schools for sudden emergencies. You can never be too careful when it comes to saving a life of a child. I want to thank FAAN and Steny Hoyer for their support of this important bipartisan legislation introduced in the House.”

In addition to FAAN, the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, and the National Association of School Nurses have endorsed the School Access to Emergency Epinephrine Act.

About FAAN

Founded in 1991, the Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN) is the world leader in information, resources, and programs for food allergy, a potentially life-threatening medical condition that afflicts as many as 15 million Americans, including almost 6 million children. A nonprofit organization based in Fairfax, Va., FAAN is dedicated to increasing public awareness of food allergy and its consequences, to educating people about the condition, and to advancing research on behalf of all those affected by it. FAAN provides information and educational resources about food allergy to patients, their families, schools, health professionals, pharmaceutical companies, the food industry, and government officials. On May 9, 2012, FAAN announced its intent to merge with the other leading food allergy organization, the Food Allergy Initiative, pending state regulatory approval. To become a member or for more information, please visit FAAN at www.foodallergy.org.

Media Contact

Nancy Gregory
Media Relations
(703) 563-3066
E-mail: ngregory@foodallergy.org