Checking your cholesterol levels no longer requires a visit to your doctor, a 10-hour fast and trip to the medical lab for a blood test, thanks to a new skin-based test now offered by Richmond-headquartered London Drugs.
Starting today, London Drugs will begin offering PreVu tests – a non-invasive test that measures the cholesterol levels in skin.
It is placed on the palm of the hand, involves no needles and requires no fasting. It gives results in five minutes.
In October 2012, London Drugs partnered with Miraculins Inc. and Pear Healthcare Solutions to test PreVu in 11 London Drugs pharmacies as part of a pilot program.
“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, London Drugs’ vice president of pharmacy, said in a press release.
“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.”
London Drugs warns that data obtained from the skin is not the same as blood cholesterol, but nonetheless provides valuable indicators for assessing levels that could pose risks coronary artery disease or heart disease.
Participants from last year’s pilot program were surveyed following the test. Three out of four participants said they planned to discuss their test results with their doctor. One in two said they would consider making changes to their lifestyle based on the test results.
The PreVu tests are administered in risk assessment clinics being conducted in-pharmacy. Attending the clinics costs $24.99.
