Over-the-Counter AIDS Tests by MedMira
WHAT CHANGES IN THE ENVIRONMENT MADE IT POSSIBLE TO CONSIDER THE LAUNCH OF AN OTC AIDS TEST? BE SPECIFIC.
For a better understanding of the context in which MedMira considered launching an OTC Aids Test, one should focus on analyzing major changes in the environment that could reshape the way consumers face this recent self-diagnosis approach. After the pioneer proliferation of HIV, the development of a global concern about AIDS and the consequent changes in public perception of the disease are crucial to evaluate consumers’ possible response to such technological progresses.
HIV infection has progressively become an epidemic disease, spreading virtually to all social classes. Every year, high new-infection rates are reported even though public health initiatives attempt to develop awareness for prevention. It is known that high-socioeconomic status groups are more prone to adapt preventive life style measures1 and are increasingly striving for empowerment in their healthcare decisions. Nowadays, citizens have easier access to information and know that an healthier life style might delay or even prevent seeking medical assistance which, in some countries such the USA, might be quite expensive. These upper social classes are potential consumers for HIV rapid tests market, since they have both the purchasing power to acquire them and the willingness to control major determinants to their health-status.
Moreover, considering that HIV infection is no longer a fatal but chronic condition, the old social stigma and misconception about the topic is slowly fading away. Back in 1987, the FDA feared that people who tested positive for HIV would panic and possibly even commit suicide in the absence of adequate counseling. There is now less skepticism about the infection itself and the focus is now on timely prevention - and that’s where rapid test have their niche of opportunity. First conventional tests required highly trained laboratory personnel and special equipment
For a better understanding of the context in which MedMira considered launching an OTC Aids Test, one should focus on analyzing major changes in the environment that could reshape the way consumers face this recent self-diagnosis approach. After the pioneer proliferation of HIV, the development of a global concern about AIDS and the consequent changes in public perception of the disease are crucial to evaluate consumers’ possible response to such technological progresses.
HIV infection has progressively become an epidemic disease, spreading virtually to all social classes. Every year, high new-infection rates are reported even though public health initiatives attempt to develop awareness for prevention. It is known that high-socioeconomic status groups are more prone to adapt preventive life style measures1 and are increasingly striving for empowerment in their healthcare decisions. Nowadays, citizens have easier access to information and know that an healthier life style might delay or even prevent seeking medical assistance which, in some countries such the USA, might be quite expensive. These upper social classes are potential consumers for HIV rapid tests market, since they have both the purchasing power to acquire them and the willingness to control major determinants to their health-status.
Moreover, considering that HIV infection is no longer a fatal but chronic condition, the old social stigma and misconception about the topic is slowly fading away. Back in 1987, the FDA feared that people who tested positive for HIV would panic and possibly even commit suicide in the absence of adequate counseling. There is now less skepticism about the infection itself and the focus is now on timely prevention - and that’s where rapid test have their niche of opportunity. First conventional tests required highly trained laboratory personnel and special equipment