The pitfalls of home test kits

If you’ve been in a high street pharmacy or supermarket recently, chances are you’ll have seen home test kits for all sorts of indications; blood sugar level, vitamin deficiencies, thyroid function, and even some forms of cancer.

A new series of article in The BMJ revealing serious concerns with the reliability of these home tests, and raises questions about their regulation.

Jonathan Deeks, professor of Biostatistics at the University of Birmingham, joins us to discuss what these tests are, and how his team have rated their usability.

Also this week, the sad death of a child in Liverpool from measles highlights the growing outbreak in the UK - and this may be one of the first times many doctors have come across the infection. Frances Dutton, GP at the Small Heath Medical Practice reminds us how to recognise the sign of the infection.

 

Reading list

Direct-to-consumer self-tests sold in the UK in 2023

How to recognise and manage measles