Scottish pharmacy chain first to offer fingerprint drug testing

Scottish pharmacy chain first to offer fingerprint drug testing

• Dears Pharmacy chain to use Intelligent Fingerprinting’s drug test to support walk-in tests and on-site testing for workplaces or education
• “Fingerprint drug testing is a great fit for Dears Pharmacy and our customers. It enables social distancing, is really simple to use, makes results quickly available on site, and there are no biohazardous bodily fluids to deal with,” – Mahyar Nickkho-Amiry, Superintendent Pharmacist

Dears Pharmacy chain has added the Intelligent Fingerprinting portable Drug Screening System to its services portfolio, making it the first pharmacy chain to offer this simple fingerprint-based drug test. The hygienic, 10-minute test works by analysing fingerprint sweat to determine if a person has recently taken any of the four drugs in the test. Dears Pharmacy will use the system to support both walk-in tests as well as its on-site workplace testing services. The Intelligent Fingerprinting system was selected after the pharmacy chain considered other more traditional methods of testing involving urine and saliva-based tests. Dears will also offer an alcohol breathalyser test supplied by Intelligent Fingerprinting.

With locations across Edinburgh and Fife, Dears Pharmacy offers a portfolio of tests and services to employers and the general public – from COVID-19 tests and weight assessments, to travel and flu vaccinations and private healthcare services. The pharmacy chain’s workplace testing services involve visiting high-risk sites – for example, in the construction or transport industry – to support companies’ occupational health programmes, proactive drug policies or to offer general employee medical services.

“After considering a range of different available drug testing options, we chose the innovative Intelligent Fingerprinting method to help extend our portfolio of pharmacy services,” commented Mahyar Nickkho-Amiry, Managing Director and Superintendent Pharmacist at Dears Pharmacy. “Fingerprint-based drug tests are a great technology fit for our pharmacies as they are really simple to use, remove the need to handle biohazardous bodily fluids and also deliver results quickly on site. The fact that the Intelligent Fingerprint solution also enables socially distant testing, with the ability to wear face coverings through the test, was also a key factor for us.

“In addition to workplace drug testing, the test will also be available to the general public at any of our ten branches across Edinburgh and Fife – where tests can be carried out in our private consulting rooms,” he added.

“The Intelligent Fingerprinting system’s cleanliness, ease of use, simplicity and rapid on-site results were all key factors behind Dears Pharmacy’s decision to opt for our fingerprint-based testing approach,” added Intelligent Fingerprinting’s Dr Paul Yates. “The success of this project shows how, with straightforward, remote training support, anyone can use our system in almost any location. And with no back-to-lab requirements with the initial test and no compromises over social distancing, fingerprint-based drug tests are increasingly relevant for organisations such as Dears Pharmacy and their customers.”

Intelligent Fingerprinting’s 10-minute drug test works by collecting a person’s fingerprint sweat samples onto a small drug screening cartridge. Quick and easy-to-use, the hygienic system also meets the Government’s key guidelines for supporting social distancing while at work.

Fingerprint-based drug testing – how it works
Intelligent Fingerprinting’s drug testing system features a small, tamper-evident drug screening cartridge onto which ten fingerprint sweat samples are collected, in a process which takes less than a minute. The Intelligent Fingerprinting portable analysis unit then reads the cartridge and provides a positive or negative result on-screen for all drugs in the test in ten minutes.

An introductory video demonstrating fingerprint-based drug testing in action is available here.

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For media information contact Cheryl Billson at Comma
Email: cheryl.billson@commacomms.com  Tel: +44 (0)7791 720460

About Intelligent Fingerprinting
Intelligent Fingerprinting’s portable Drug Screening System works by analysing fingerprint sweat. It is non-invasive, fast and cost-effective, with sample collection taking seconds and simultaneous screening for multiple drug groups in ten minutes. A laboratory confirmation service is also available.

The system has applications within many sectors and customers include employers in safety-critical industries such as construction, transport and logistics firms, drug treatment and family safeguarding organisations, as well as UK coroners. The company has distributors across the globe, including the USA.

Founded in 2007, Intelligent Fingerprinting is a spin-out company from the University of East Anglia (UEA).  The company is based in Cambridge, England and employs around 40 people. www.intelligentfingerprinting.com   Twitter @iFingerprinting

About Dears Pharmacy
Dears Pharmacy provides healthcare services across Edinburgh and Fife. The organisation prides itself on being the pharmacy at the heart of the community, supporting customers with personalised, tailored pharmaceutical care and dispensing both medicines and healthcare advice tailored to meet their specific needs. Dears Pharmacy offers an accessible and approachable first port of call for healthcare advice in the communities where patients live. The company invests in its communities, building relationships with local healthcare organisations, businesses and supporting local charities in their work. It also provides space and facilities for local groups to meet on a regular basis.
www.dearspharmacy.co.uk