Hypersensitivity reactions to the iv drugs used in anaesthesia and surgery pose a magor problem in many countries the scope of the problem in somewhat difficult to gudge agreement can rarely be reached as to what is and what is not a hypersensitivity reactions while the death of a fit young patient undergoing minor investigated surgery is an obvious candidate for inclusion there are some indication that the incidenece of hypersensitivity is steadly increasing and this is extremely worrying for both patients and anaethetists.