WINNIPEG, Manitoba — Starting this month, London Drugs is slated to roll out a noninvasive skin cholesterol test in 11 of its stores.
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Results from the PreVu skin cholesterol test, which doesn’t draw blood, are available immediately. |
Plans call for the western Canada drug chain to offer the PreVu Non-Invasive Skin Cholesterol Point of Care Test in six stores (in North Vancouver, Vancouver and Burnaby, British Columbia, and in Winnipeg, Manitoba) on Oct. 29 and in five more stores (in West Vancouver, Vancouver and Burnaby) on Nov. 1.
According to Miraculins, the rollout of the PreVu POC test gives the London Drugs a period of exclusivity for the test in its market. After the initial launch, the chain has the option to expand the PreVu POC Test to all 75 of its stores. The retailer has locations in British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba and Saskatchewan.
"We are pleased to confirm that we will be launching the PreVu POC Test in 11 of our stores, with 10 being located in Vancouver and the Lower Mainland, and another store now being added in Winnipeg," John Tse, vice president of pharmacy for Richmond, B.C.-based London Drugs, said in a statement. "This includes our prestigious, brand-new Olympic Village store, which is located in the previous home of the Canadian National Olympic Committee and the Athletes’ Multimedia Centre for the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Winter Games."
The PreVu POC Test measures skin cholesterol, which Miraculins said is a key biomarker in assessing risk of coronary artery disease (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 Miraculins noted facilitates point-of-care consultation and discussion with patients about the next steps they can take to address their condition. PreVu doesn’t diagnose the presence or absence of CAD but helps identify patients who may be at higher, hidden risk for the disease, the company added.
The test will be made available for a special introductory price of $19.99 and be performed in-store by London Drugs pharmacists.
The companies announced the pilot in August. The test is being incorporated into special CAD risk assessment clinics to be conducted in the London Drugs pharmacies and supported by Pear Healthcare Solutions, a Toronto-based provider of health screening and education services to pharmacy retailers in Canada. Pear Healthcare is the exclusive distributor of the test to that market segment.
"Since announcing the launch, London Drugs, Pear Healthcare and Miraculins team members have been working diligently to prepare for this important commercial introduction of PreVu in Canada," stated Paul Moreau, vice president of sales and marketing for Miraculins. "The launch will be pre-promoted in the regions through in-store and community advertising and public relations. Additionally, we are reaching out to doctors with a special information package being sent to over 3,600 physicians in advance so they can review the PreVu science and technology prior to the London Drugs premiere."
