Shining a Light on Diagnostics

The global market for in-vitro diagnostics is broadly segmented as immunoassays, POC diagnostics, molecular diagnostics, hematology, tissue diagnostics, microbiology, self-blood-glucose monitoring, and others. By-products for in-vitro diagnostics are classified into instruments, reagents and data management systems.
Diagnostics in healthcare enable the delivery of precise information to support disease prevention, early detection and timely diagnosis. They also play a vital role in enabling personalized and targeted treatment, as well as optimizing care pathways.

It is widely recognized that people live healthier and longer lives when they have access to healthcare that supports a quick and timely diagnosis along with the necessary clinical resources for effective treatment. Unfortunately, many health systems are sorely lacking in capacity and awareness when it comes to integrating diagnostics, despite their huge potential to support better health outcomes.

Furthermore, the contrast of investment in diagnostics with the enormous investment devoted to developing pharmaceuticals could not be more striking. However, if the patient’s diagnosis is wrong, then even the most effective drug will be useless, and the resources invested to produce it will have been wasted. In short, without timely access to quality in-vitro diagnostics (IVDs), health providers cannot diagnose patients effectively and promptly or provide appropriate treatments.
The global COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly raised awareness of the role diagnostics play in disease prevention and management. This is the right time to initiate crucial dialogues to drive the provision of high-quality diagnostics, address regulatory requirements around safety and quality, and jointly work with the public and private sector to shape the policy framework for diagnostics in Pakistan.