OTC cholesterol meter

Polymer Technology Systems' CardioChek whole blood chemistry analyzer is now available at 1,200 Wal-Mart stores across the U.S., the company announces Aug 28. Previously sold only online, the meter will now retail for $99.94 in stores under an initial distribution agreement with the retailer. CardioChek is a hand-held analyzer used with separately sold PTS PANELS test strips that are designed to measure whole blood indicators related to heart disease, diabetes and other chronic conditions. Consumers insert a color-coded test strip and roughly 15 mcl of blood into the meter and receive test results within two minutes. The test strips are priced at $11.94 for a package of three tests. Other companies looking to bring cholesterol tests to the OTC arena include International Medical Innovations, which is developing its PREVU Home Test for OTC sale. The product would test skin sterols in order to determine levels of cholesterol. Johnson & Johnson signed an agreement to license IMI's predictive tests in 2004 (1"The Tan Sheet" June 7, 2004, p. 10)...