The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 279 No 7475 p459
27 October 2007

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One in six happy to buy self-diagnostic tests

One in six adults is happy to buy a self-diagnostic test from a pharmacy, according to a report published last week.

Consumer and product analyst Mintel surveyed 1,017 adults and found that 16 per cent would buy home health care kits, including home pregnancy tests, urine tests and blood pressure kits, from a pharmacy where advice is available. This varied from 20 per cent of women to 12 per cent of men and from 22 per cent among those aged 15–24 years to 12 per cent for those aged 55–64 years.

However, over half (54 per cent) said that they would prefer to have tests done at the doctor’s surgery or at a hospital.

The report reveals that sales of self-diagnostic kits have increased by 29 per cent in the past five years and are set to reach £99m this year and an estimated £158m by 2012.

Mintel also highlights the influence of the internet on the growing use of at-home testing kits.