Q&A: The future of at-home diagnostics

John Marrow, president of supply chain solutions at RRD, examines the results of its Diagnostic Drivers report, a survey of supply chain decision makers that supports recent developments in the at-home diagnostic test kit market and the supply chain.

What does the future of at-home testing diagnostics look like?

We are currently experiencing an increase in the demand for at-home tests around the world. In fact, a recent survey conducted by RRD on this matter revealed that 97% of the respondents have seen an increase in the demand for home testing diagnostic kits in the last two years. We can probably attribute this to two factors: consumers becoming more comfortable with self-testing during the COVID-19 pandemic and a higher level of confidence from healthcare providers that consumers can accurately self-test . Before the pandemic, the at-home testing industry was already working towards creating technology and procedures for more frequent self-testing at home. However, as test manufacturers were quick to bring COVID-19 rapid tests to market, the process was expedited and helped consumers become more familiar with and trust at-home tests. While the first generation of in-home diagnostic tests has largely been rapid testing, the market continues to grow, and we see the next generation of tests that are smartphone-friendly offer advanced performance, convenience, and long-term reductions in the cost of care. leading to. , We are seeing incredible innovation and advancement in this industry and we expect to see continued rapid growth over the next few years.

Is the increase in early and routine diagnosis and the move towards preventive care impacting the growth of the at-home testing market? How does a clinical trial support preventive care at home?

Yes, absolutely – the movement towards earlier and more routine diagnosis is largely contributing to the growth of the at-home testing market. Any time more routine testing is taking place, patients can essentially enhance their preventive care by avoiding delayed diagnosis.

This demand for at-home testing is prompting manufacturers to rapidly develop their technology and provide more advanced tests. Private health insurance companies and public health organizations in North America and Europe are paying attention to this technology and are primarily using the technology to achieve better patient outcomes and personalized healthcare for members in their homes without major treatment costs. offering care.

Are you seeing an increase in specific test categories, such as STIs, food allergies, etc.? Who can you talk to and why might this happen?

We continue to see growth in the diabetes test kit category along with an increase in demand for colon cancer tests. Other categories such as STI testing are also growing rapidly due to the convenience and privacy of home testing. In fact, 41% of respondents to a recent RRD survey believe that consumer preferences for a convenient, private testing experience are driving demand for in-home tests.

How has the increase in at-home testing affected medical device manufacturers and how have they responded?

The growth of at-home testing has significantly impacted medical device manufacturers. While historically, the dominant home diagnostic test was pregnancy, as we see an increase in demand for at-home testing, manufacturers are taking advantage of this opportunity and expanding the market. We are seeing new categories emerge beyond pregnancy and COVID-19. Looking forward, there is opportunity for manufacturers to get on the ground with public and private health programs looking to implement this technology for their customers.

What are the biggest challenges medical device manufacturers are facing moving forward with regards to diagnostic testing?

The market is no longer one size fits all, with multiple channel strategies such as health insurance companies, emerging retailer collaborations, and direct-to-consumer increasing market complexity. The challenges also differ across regions. In North America, payers benefit from a large amount of customers across the region, mostly adhering to a set of regulatory requirements. While this still comes with considerable complexity, it gives manufacturers a more centralized way of working with a larger pool of customers. The European market is extremely fragmented, and many countries may have their own unique healthcare systems, which could create a more bespoke environment as they try to market their devices to consumers. Beyond the logistics of getting diagnostic tests to consumers in their homes, this model requires rethinking many other elements, including self-testing services, monitoring, and reporting outside the traditional care setting.