Home testing products for self-monitoring

Currently available newer home testing products and some that may be available in the near future are described. Although not diagnostic, home testing products may be used by consumers to recognize medical conditions early so that a physician may be consulted. Common conditions or situations that can be monitored or tested include blood glucose concentrations, pregnancy, ovulation, urinary-tract infection, the presence of fecal occult blood, and asthma. To minimize the possibility of false-positive and false-negative results and to ensure that consumers understand how to use the products correctly, pharmacists should discuss the tests and their instructions with users beforehand. When home testing products are used according to instructions, most provide accurate results (95%-99%). Home testing products will continue to be developed, using monoclonal antibodies as their base of detection. Pharmacists can play an important role in ensuring that consumers use these products correctly.