The global rapid influenza diagnostic tests market has seen tremendous growth over the past two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. These diagnostic tests can quickly identify influenza infections and help distinguish between influenza types A and B. With many COVID-19 symptoms mirroring those of the flu, rapid tests have played a crucial role in medical diagnosis and treatment decisions.

Surge in Rapid Influenza Diagnostic Tests Production

Leading diagnostic test manufacturers have expanded production significantly to meet the unprecedented demand. Roche, Abbott and Quidel have all increased capacity for their rapid Influenza Diagnostic Tests. Roche brought three new rapid test products to market in 2020 and has doubled its manufacturing output year-over-year. Abbott launched a new point-of-care rapid molecular test and is now producing over 50 million flu test strips annually. Quidel saw triple digit revenue growth in 2020 and has opened two new facilities dedicated to rapid influenza test production. These companies predict demand will remain elevated for the next 2-3 years as healthcare providers seek to effectively test, track and treat respiratory illnesses.

Shift to Point-of-Care Testing

The pandemic has accelerated the transition from central laboratory testing to rapid point-of-care platforms. New immunoassay and molecular tests provide results within 15-30 minutes directly at the physician's office or clinic. This allows for more timely clinical management decisions. Large hospital networks and medical groups have invested heavily in portable analyzers that can run multiple rapid influenza tests simultaneously. Detecting influenza earlier through point-of-care testing helps reduce unnecessary antibiotic use and allocates healthcare resources more efficiently.

Increased Adoption in Non-Traditional Settings

Rapid influenza diagnostic tests are also gaining acceptance beyond hospitals and doctors' offices. Retail clinics like CVS Minute Clinic have added rapid flu tests to their service offerings. Urgent care centers nationwide now routinely use rapid influenza tests to evaluate patients with respiratory symptoms. Even employers are deploying testing programs to identify and treat influenza among employees sooner. The work placement of these tests outside the traditional clinical setting bodes well for ongoing sales growth potential in non-influenza seasons as well.

Southern Hemisphere Indicator of Seasonal Patterns

The Southern Hemisphere experiences its winter flu season during the Northern Hemisphere's summer months. As such, trends seen in Australia, South America and South Africa provide an early indicator of what may happen globally as we head toward our own flu season later this year. Official reports from those regions have described higher-than-average influenza activity and circulation of influenza A strains so far in 2022. This data points toward another potentially volatile flu season for hospitals and doctors' offices in the coming months. Sustained reliance on rapid diagnostic influenza testing is expected in order to handle increased patient volumes and detect infections rapidly.

Regulatory Approvals of New Products

Additional rapid influenza diagnostic tests are completing clinical trials and seeking regulatory clearances. This will further expand the available product options for healthcare providers. Notable new market entrants likely to gain FDA approval within the year are Roche’s portable cobas Liat Platform and BD Veritor’s self-contained molecular test. Both systems aim to dramatically simplify workflow for small clinics and outpatient settings. More advanced diagnostic capabilities could lead public health authorities to endorse population-level rapid testing programs during influenza outbreaks or pandemics. The influx of new rapid test technologies reinforces manufacturers’ dedication to the market and confidence in continuing end-user demand.

The past two years have demonstrated both the critical importance and commercial success potential of rapid influenza diagnostic testing. Heightened disease surveillance needs and improved decentralized testing models work synergistically to sustain future utilization. As long as influenza viruses cause seasonal epidemics worldwide, rapid diagnostic tests will remain a cornerstone technology for modern medical practice. Leading manufacturers have made strategic investments to solidify their presence in this crucial diagnostics segment.

Get more insights on this topic: https://www.pressreleasebulletin.com/rapid-influenza-diagnostic-tests-rapid-influenza-diagnostic-tests-the-future-of-flu-diagnosis/

About Author:

Ravina Pandya, Content Writer, has a strong foothold in the market research industry. She specializes in writing well-researched articles from different industries, including food and beverages, information and technology, healthcare, chemical and materials, etc. (https://www.linkedin.com/in/ravina-pandya-1a3984191)