Worldwide POC Diagnostics Market to Grow

The worldwide point-of-care (POC) diagnostics market is about to undergo exceptional growth, according to a new report compiled by Cambridge Consultants (Cambridge Science Park, UK).

The report was released following a workshop held in May 2006 by Cambridge Consultants. The participants, who came from across the diagnostics industry, discussed the future of point-of-care testing (POCT) and the role of technology. Attending the 24-hour workshop were delegates from a variety of backgrounds, including clinicians and representatives of diagnostic companies.

Increased availability of accurate, rapid tests, patient demand for instant results, integration with drug delivery technology, and a general shift from lab-based tests to testing in the home, in doctor's surgeries, and over the pharmacy counter were the reasons given for the expected increase in the POCT domestic market.

The delegates questioned whether the technology was adequate. They agreed that the current wet chemistry used in diagnostic testing is adequate and that the barriers to faster adoption lie in post-test data management and quality control. However, the delegation also agreed that new and emerging technologies, such as micro- and nano-technology and novel labels, could revolutionize POCT and diagnostic testing in the future. The group felt that in the meantime those in the industry need to work together to enable doctors and patients to collate the results of the tests. In addition, standardization is necessary to speed adoption of POCT technology, as well as to provide the patient with a common user interface.

The market for POCT differs from region to region. In the United States, defensive medicine dominates, and concerns over liability means that a final confirmatory central test is required. In Europe, adoption depends on clinical benefits and centralized purchasing, and the rate of acceptance is different within each country. In countries like Sweden and Germany, which have decentralized health services, POCT uptake is moving fast with high awareness among doctors and patients. The United Kingdom's difficulty in employing information technology (IT) on time and within budget suggests that countries with similar centralized health services might struggle with POCT adoption.

"Diagnostics could learn a lot from the phone industry,” said Dr. Burnell, diagnostics campaign manager at Cambridge Consultants. "As a group they came together to focus on standardizing aspects of their technology as they realized that this would benefit the customer, as well as the companies who were then free to innovate and add value. The diagnostics industry needs to follow suit and work out a way of providing data from point-of-care devices in a simple and common format.”



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