Acon Archives - Medical Design Sourcing

Sen. Ed Markey (D-Massachusetts)

Sen. Ed Markey, D-Massachusetts, has sent letters to CEOs of at-home COVID-19 test-makers, asking why tests are selling for as much as $12 apiece.

In a letter sent today to Abbott CEO Robert Ford, for example, Markey cited a Reuters story from October 2021 in which British test-maker Mologic said that rapid antigen tests can cost as little as $2 apiece to manufacture. “Yet, U.S. consumers face costs of $12 or more for each at-home rapid COVID-19 antigen test. As we face an unprecedented wave of COVID cases, manufacturers and retailers must do more to ensure consumers see reasonable prices for at-home tests.”

Markey made similar points to top leadership at BD, Access Bio, Quidel, Acon Laboratories, Celltrion USA, Ellume Health, iHealth Labs, InBios International and OraSure Technologies.

The letters could carry some weight because Markey is not only …

The BinaxNow COVID-19 Ag Card [Image courtesy of Abbott]

Abbott (NYSE:ABT) was among a series of medtech companies to receive recognition from TIME in its list of 2021’s best inventions.

The list of the year’s top inventions included Abbott’s innovations twice, with a nod to its NeuroSphere Virtual Clinic and its at-home COVID-19 testing offerings.

NeuroSphere Virtual Clinic allows physicians to speak to patients over a video app and to remotely adjust Abbott’s implanted neuromodulation devices. The platform won FDA approval in March and Time reported that the company plans to expand availability of NeuroSphere Virtual Clinic soon.

Abbott’s BinaxNOW was one of several at-home, over-the-counter COVID-19 tests to receive a mention from Time as the news organization recognized the tests for aiding in efforts to prevent the spread of the virus.

In a post on LinkedI…

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Democratic senator wants COVID-19 test-makers to lower prices

TIME recognizes Abbott among this year’s 100 best inventions