AAAAI Reintroduces Bill to Support Penicillin Allergy Delabeling

The Penicillin Allergy Verification and Evaluation (PAVE) Act Fights Antimicrobial Resistance and Improves Patient Outcomes

MILWAUKEE, Oct. 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI) is pleased to congratulate Representative Morgan Griffith (R-VA) for reintroducing the Penicillin Allergy Verification and Evaluation (PAVE) Act, H.R. 5736, to the House of Representatives with co-sponsors Ami Bera (D-CA), Miller-Meeks, MD (R-IA), Suzan DelBene (D-WA), Bob Onder, MD (R-MO), Jake Auchincloss (D-MA) and Kim Schrier, MD (D-WA) today. The Bill was first introduced in 2024 with bipartisan support from members of Congress.

"As Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health, I am committed to advancing health care solutions that help America's seniors," said Representative Morgan Griffith, lead sponsor of the bill. "The Penicillin Allergy Verification and Evaluation (PAVE) Act, which adds a screening for penicillin allergy to the Medicare initial preventive physical examination, is one solution that delivers improved access to penicillin allergy verification testing, directs medical applications of appropriate treatments and ensures better patient outcomes."

"We are excited to partner with Representative Griffith and this bipartisan group of co-sponsors to help America's seniors get better healthcare outcomes at a lower cost," said Frank Virant, MD, FAAAAI, President of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI). "Penicillin allergy evaluation is safe and inexpensive, and removing this label for patients who can safely use penicillin improves their health outcomes, reduces drug costs and helps fight antimicrobial resistance. Medicare patients who are evaluated and 'delabeled' can avoid potential significant side effects from alternative antibiotics and be better protected against community-acquired infections in healthcare, residential and recreational facilities. We hope that standardizing delabeling among seniors is a first step toward broad adoption of this important public health intervention. In addition to helping America's seniors, access to the most effective, well-tolerated antibiotic an individual patient can take gets them back to school and/or work sooner."

The newly reintroduced PAVE Act adds penicillin allergy verification, evaluation and delabeling to the Medicare Initial Preventative Physical Exam (IPPE) and Annual Wellness Visit (AWV). Senior patients are often vulnerable to adverse drug reactions and infections, and an unverified penicillin allergy in medical records can create unnecessary barriers to adequate antibiotic treatment. While improving antibiotic stewardship and combating antimicrobial resistance, penicillin allergy delabeling can also significantly reduce healthcare expenditures and support patient care.

Stakeholder organizations supporting the PAVE Act include:
American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology
Allergy & Asthma Network
American Academy of Emergency Medicine
American Academy of Otolaryngic Allergy
American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology
American College of Physicians
American Gastroenterological Association
American Geriatrics Society
Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America
Campaign Urging Research for Eosinophilic Diseases
Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Connection Team
Food Allergy Research & Education
Infectious Diseases Society of America
Food Protein-Induced Enterocolitis Syndrome
The Mast Cell Disease Society
Peggy Lillis Foundation

Taking the most effective antibiotic available helps patients back to school and work sooner, and when that antibiotic is among the least expensive on the market, it is smart medicine for patients, providers and healthcare systems to improve their access. Join the AAAAI in promoting penicillin allergy delabeling by viewing educational resources, including videos for patients and healthcare providers, by visiting the AAAAI Penicillin Allergy Center or contacting [email protected].

The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI) is the leading membership organization of more than 7,100 allergists, asthma specialists, clinical immunologists and other professionals with a special interest in the research and treatment of allergic and immunologic diseases. Established in 1943, the AAAAI is the go-to resource for patients living with allergies, asthma and immune deficiency disorders.

SOURCE American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI)