Summary: NOWDiagnostics has launched the First To Know Syphilis Test, an FDA-authorized over-the-counter syphilis test in the U.S.

Takeaways:

  1. Nationwide Availability: The First To Know Syphilis Test can now be purchased online and at major retail and pharmacy locations across all 50 states.
  2. Accessibility and Affordability: Designed for convenience, the self-directed test requires only a drop of blood, costs less than a typical co-pay, and provides results in 15 minutes.
  3. Public Health Impact: With syphilis cases at a 70-year high, this test aims to remove barriers to STI testing, reduce stigma, and support early detection to control the spread and ensure timely care.

NOWDiagnostics, Inc. (NOWDx), a developer of over-the-counter (OTC) and point-of-care (POC) diagnostic tests, today announced that its First To Know Syphilis Test is now available for purchase nationwide. The self-directed rapid test provides in-home results in 15 minutes with as little as a drop of blood, offering individuals an accurate, easy-to-use, and private way to test for syphilis. 

At-Home Syphilis Test

First To Know is the only syphilis test in the U.S. with FDA marketing authorization for OTC use, and it can now be purchased online on Amazon and in thousands of major retail, pharmacy, and drugstore locations across all 50 states.

“The First To Know Syphilis Test is designed to break down barriers to healthcare access and address the stigma that too often surrounds STI testing. By empowering individuals to test privately and conveniently, anytime and anywhere, we’re supporting public health initiatives focused on expanding access to testing and reducing the spread of syphilis,” said Rob Weigle, CEO of NOWDx. “Thanks to our retail and our Public Health partners, this test is now accessible across the country at an affordable price point—under $30, similar to or less than a typical co-pay—offering a meaningful solution for people who might otherwise delay or avoid testing and enabling them to take control of their health.”

Impact of Syphilis

In the U.S., syphilis cases have surged to the highest levels in 70 years. Perhaps most concerning, congenital syphilis cases have skyrocketed by 937% over the past decade. As one of the fastest-growing sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in the U.S., syphilis can cause severe complications if untreated, including blindness, paralysis, and organ damage. When transmitted during pregnancy, it can lead to miscarriage or infant death. Alarmingly, it is estimated that up to 60% of people with syphilis may not know they are infected, as many do not notice symptoms, further contributing to its spread.

Further Reading

Emergency Department Syphilis Screening Boosts Diagnosis Rates

“With syphilis cases at critical levels nationwide, accessible testing options like the First To Know Syphilis Test are more essential than ever,” says Harold Phillips, deputy director of programs at the National Minority AIDS Council (NMAC) and Former Director of the White House Office of National AIDS Policy (ONAP). “For those at risk, including individuals with symptoms or exposure and especially pregnant women, having access to private, convenient testing can make all the difference. We’ve seen with the HIV epidemic that removing barriers to early testing is key to controlling the spread of infection and ensuring timely care, especially for communities disproportionately impacted. Expanding access to tools like this test represents a vital step toward a healthier, more equitable future.”

Photo: NOWDiagnostics