“Improved Diagnostic Accuracy and Accessibility”
- A significant and accelerating trend in the Europe rapid diagnostic tests (RDT) market is the increasing integration of advanced technologies and decentralized testing models aimed at improving diagnostic speed and accessibility across clinical and non-clinical settings
- For instance, in May 2023, Roche announced the European launch of its cobas pulse system, a handheld device that combines digital health tools with rapid point-of-care testing. This innovation supports healthcare professionals in making quicker, more accurate diagnostic decisions at the bedside or in outpatient settings
- Emerging RDT platforms are now equipped with features that enable quicker detection of infectious diseases, chronic conditions, and biomarkers using compact, easy-to-use formats that do not require central laboratory infrastructure. These tools are especially useful in emergency settings, rural clinics, and home care, where timely results are crucial
- In addition, the growth in multiplex testing capabilities allows a single test to identify multiple pathogens or conditions at once. For instance, multiplex lateral flow assays can simultaneously screen for influenza, COVID-19, and RSV using a single nasal swab, saving time and resources while improving patient triage
- The seamless integration of RDTs into electronic medical records (EMRs) and clinical decision-support systems is further enhancing their clinical utility. Healthcare professionals can now access real-time results and integrate them directly into patient management workflows, thereby optimizing treatment initiation and follow-up care
- This trend toward more efficient, user-friendly, and interoperable diagnostic solutions is fundamentally reshaping expectations within healthcare systems. As a result, companies such as Abbott, Siemens Healthineers, and bioMérieux are expanding their RDT offerings to include both professional and over-the-counter solutions targeted at chronic disease monitoring and population-wide screening efforts
- The demand for rapid diagnostic tests that provide quick, accurate, and actionable results is growing rapidly across hospitals, home care, and decentralized medical environments, as public health agencies and private providers increasingly emphasize preventive care and early intervention
