Table of Contents
RICHMOND, British Columbia — Early next month, London Drugs aims to make available at all of its pharmacies a non-invasive cholesterol test that can help customers evaluate their risk for coronary artery disease (CAD) or heart disease.
The western Canada drug chain said Thursday that on March 4 it plans to roll out the PreVu skin cholesterol test from Miraculins Inc. at its 76 brick-and-mortar stores in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba.
The test is part of specially designed CAD risk assessment clinics conducted in-pharmacy and supported by Pear Healthcare Solutions, a provider of pharmacy health screening and education and the distributor of the PreVu test, according to London Drugs. There is a $24.99 fee to attend the clinic, and a tax-deductible receipt is issued upon request.
PreVu measures skin cholesterol, which Miraculins said is a key biomarker in assessing risk of CAD. The painless, in vitro diagnostic test — which involves no blood draw or needles and no overnight fasting — is conducted on the palm of the hand in less than five minutes. The results are available immediately, which facilitates point-of-care consultation and discussion with patients about the next steps they can take to address their condition.
London Drugs said it has already seen the test’s health value for patients. In October, the drug chain partnered with Miraculins and Pear Healthcare Solutions in a PreVu pilot program at 11 London Drugs stores. Participants were surveyed after the test with the following results: Three out of four planned to discuss the test results with their doctor, and one in two said they would consider altering their lifestyle based on the test results.
"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," John Tse, vice president of pharmacy at London Drugs, said in a statement. "What we learned is that PreVu can assist to either put a patient’s mind at ease if they score low on the skin cholesterol scale or, if scoring high, the patient needs to see their doctor to have a blood cholesterol test and further risk assessment conducted."
On Wednesday, Miraculins said clinics with its PreVu test are scheduled to be held during March and April and into the spring at London Drugs and PharmaChoice locations across Canada.
"Over 80 pharmacies under the London Drugs banner in western Canada and the PharmaChoice banner in eastern Canada, are currently preparing to launch PreVu POC Testing Clinics, in every province except Quebec, this coming March and April," stated Paul Moreau, vice president of sales and marketing for Miraculins. "The London Drugs clinics represent the second stage of PreVu POC testing expansion plans through the pharmacy’s chain, and the PharmaChoice clinics represent the leading edge of network expansion into PharmaChoice pharmacies in eastern Canada.
"Expansion news related to the Quebec pharmacy segment is anticipated at the conclusion of sales and marketing discussions with interested parties currently under way," he added.
