MinuteClinic offering new rapid pink eye test in Atlanta market

ATLANTA MinuteClinic, in partnership with Rapid Pathogen Screening, is offering a new rapid pink eye test at its 23 locations inside select CVS/pharmacy stores in the Atlanta area, and hopes to eventually offer the test nationally at all its clinic locations in 25 states.

“MinuteClinic patients will get on-the-spot results that provide a more precise pink eye diagnosis,” stated Donna Haugland, MinuteClinic chief nursing officer. “This helps prevent the overuse of antibiotics and can lead to prescription savings.”

Conjunctivitis, or pink eye, is an infectious — and frequently highly contagious — condition that is most often caused by either a virus or bacteria. It is often spread among children in close environments such as schools, camps and recreational activities.

Until now, the accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment of pink eye has been difficult, according to MinuteClinic. While treatment with antibiotics is only necessary in 40% to 60% of cases, the majority of medical professionals prescribe antibiotics nearly 100% of the time.

Indiscriminately prescribing antibiotics compounds the side effects associated with their overuse and increases patient resistance to these medications.

The cost for conjunctivitis treatment is $77.