Point-of-care diagnostics - is this driven by supply or demand?

The diagnostic point-of-care testing (POCT) market is about one-third of the in vitro diagnostic (IVD) testing market but, although there are many different POCT products, most are for pregnancy and monitoring of diabetes (∼ 70% of all POCT). Despite the small contribution outside these areas there is huge investment from both suppliers and users of POCT to establish new products and increase the infrastructure for their use. The review is focused on determining the balance between the different drivers of supply and demand and how they have impacted the conflicts seen in POCT evolution. The conflicts have been based on a mix of analytical, regulatory, political and commercial aspects and here the supply and demand drivers are examined separately to determine whether the conflicts are real or whether there are hidden synergies. The focus is on recent publications, with reference to some key historical articles, so that the full environment can be assessed. It is concluded that the synergies between supply and demand now overcome the conflicts where clinical and economic benefit can be demonstrated.