Lateral Flow Point-of-Care Tests Market Expanding

As the global call for increased usage of near-patient diagnostic testing escalates, the market for lateral flow point-of-care (LF-POC) tests for everything from cardiac markers and cholesterol to diabetes and infectious diseases continues to rise at a healthy rate, with sales expected to surpass US$2.7 billion by 2010, according to a new study from medical market research firm Kalorama Information (Rockville, MD, USA).

The market analysis currently estimates sales of LF-POC tests at $1.8 billion. Growth averaging 8% per year is expected as the popularity of patient self-testing grows and pharmacies, retail outlets, and physician offices continue to establish their position as viable alternatives to laboratories for patient wellness screening.

Also known as immunochromatographic strip (ICS) tests, these rapid-result tests have shown the greatest market potential in the professional POC setting where rapid-result cholesterol, influenza, and streptococcus tests, among others, have given rise to healthy market growth.

Similarly, diagnostic testing for diabetes, pregnancy, drug abuse, heart disease, and some cancers is slowly moving from the hospital to the pharmacy and even the shopping mall, options that allow consumers increased control over their health. Lateral flow tests are offering the high portability and low cost needed to make this new health trend a reality.

"New tests in development should help to assure market growth and wider acceptance with both patients and health providers,” noted Shara Rosen, the report's author. "Additionally, the digitization of test results, which can offer the promise of greater accuracy and be linked to centralized management stations and healthcare information systems, is on the horizon and may very well secure a brighter than projected future for this market.”


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Kalorama Information