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RICHMOND, British Columbia — London Drugs is offering customers a noninvasive look into their cholesterol history and health with PreVu, a skin cholesterol test from Miraculins Inc.
The test measures the cholesterol found on the body’s largest organ, the skin, where cholesterol is accumulated with age. The test is conducted on the palm of the hand in less than five minutes and involves no blood draw, needles or fasting, and the results are available immediately.
“We have reviewed the clinical research using this screening technology and have listened to our pharmacists and customers about whether this test would assist in one’s overall health management,” said John Tse, London Drugs’ vice president of pharmacy. “What we learned is that PreVu can assist by either putting the patients’ mind at ease if they score low on the skin cholesterol scale or, if they score high, by informing them that they need to see their doctor to have a blood cholesterol test and further risk assessment.”
Health care officials explain that although skin cholesterol isn’t the same as blood cholesterol, it provides valuable information when assessing risk of coronary artery disease or heart disease.
Last October London Drugs partnered with Miraculins and Pear Healthcare Solutions to pilot PreVu in 11 London pharmacies. Participants from the pilot program were surveyed following the test, with three out of four participants planning to discuss their test results with their doctor and one in two saying they would consider making changes to their lifestyle based on the test results.
