Cutting Edge COVID Test Sets Independents Apart

BUFFALO, N.Y. — When KSL Diagnostics Inc., a developer of novel diagnostic and therapeutic applications for immunology and oncology, partnered with independent drug stores in greater Buffalo, N.Y., to introduce Immune Index, they knew they were heading into uncharted territory. With a first-of-its-kind COVID-19 antibody test that helps patients and their health care providers quantitatively monitor their immune status to optimize scheduling vaccinations, pharmacies have the opportunity to go beyond dispensing medications to deliver more-comprehensive patient care and add a valuable clinical service to increase their nondrug revenues.

Independents who joined the KSL Immune Index partner program differentiated themselves by offering an antibody test at the leading edge of patient care, and gained patient trust and appreciation for the ability to measure their level of virus immunity, which, in turn, generated additional in-store foot traffic and point-of-sale opportunities.

A new program is born
Brighton Eggert first collaborated with KSL to offer COVID-19 PCR testing early in the pandemic when demand was high and result turnaround time (TAT) reached 15 days. As a private local diagnostics lab, KSL was able to significantly reduce TAT to 24 hours. With Brighton Eggert’s success and the urgent need for more testing sites, KSL began building a network of independently owned pharmacies to provide lab-based COVID testing in western New York. KSL then enlisted Brighton Eggert for a pilot program to add Immune Index in July.

The pharmacy partner program has been so successful that KSL is now providing Immune Index testing to more than 20 independent pharmacies in the Buffalo area and expanding its network in the eastern and southern U.S.

“KSL’s Immune Index is truly a clinical service of real value to our patients and our business,” says Don Arthur, Brighton Eggert pharmacist and owner. “It helps us manage our COVID vaccination program with a test that tells our patients where they stand regarding their immunity. It really differentiates us from our competition. And KSL has created an easy-to-implement turnkey program. It checks all the boxes for an independent pharmacy.”

Pharmacies can use Immune Index testing to establish a personalized patient monitoring program that can help sustain vaccine-induced immunity and monitor patient-specific immunity following virus infection or vaccination. Each individual’s immune response is unique, with factors such as age, genetics, excess weight, immunosuppression and comorbidities impacting the strength and duration of immunity. Monitoring patients’ antibody levels biannually or quarterly enables clinicians to prioritize boosters for high-risk individuals or defer vaccination in high-immunity cases.

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