Cognivue brings cognitive screening solution to pharmacies

Cognivue has unveiled its cognitive screening offering for retail pharmacies. The Rochester, N.Y.-based company is offering its computerized cognitive function test, which is based on Food and Drug Administration-cleared technology. It can quantitatively and objectively identify changes in cognitive function that might indicate an impairment that could be treated or managed. 

Executives with the company said it can be used as an added component to health screenings or offered as a stand-alone service. 

“Pharmacists today offer everything from diabetes screening, A1C test, blood pressure and cholesterol screen/evaluations to basic and comprehensive health screens, hearing and vision evaluations, and sports physicals, but they do not offer any brain health or cognitive function screening,” said Tom O’Neill, CEO of Cognivue.

Cognivue’s CogniSystem uses a patented software algorithm that calibrates each individual’s motor and visual abilities and continuously adapts to the user’s performance to provide a customized screening. The screening, which is designed to eliminate testing variables, consists of a self-administered two-minute video and five-minute screening that tests key cognitive domains, delivering a one-page report once completed. 

O’Neill said that Cognivue’s fourth-generation device will be launching in the first quarter of 2020. The 5-pound device is compact enough to offer in-store screenings with minimal footprint, and be portable for travel to health fairs and other events. Additionally, the company will be offering a free certification program for pharmacists to gain the education needed for cognitive testing as part of its introductory program. 

“We recognize that pharmacists today need to be educated on cognition and how to identify and counsel patients that are showing signs of cognitive decline,” O’Neill said.