Alere Inc.
(
ALR
), a medical products company focused on integrating rapid
diagnostics with health management, launched a new campaign
called the Test Target Treat in response to a report released by
the World Economic Forum (WEF) identifying antimicrobial
resistance (AMR) as the greatest threat to human health. The
campaign was launched at the 9th Annual International Symposium
on Antimicrobial Agents and Resistance.
The misuse of antibiotics has led to microorganisms mutating
or acquiring resistance genes that empower them to resist
antimicrobial treatments, which were earlier effective. In the
2013 Global Risks Report, the WEF has urged healthcare
professionals to prevent the overuse of antibiotics in an effort
to stop this huge global health crisis.
The aim of the Test Target Treat is to spread awareness
amongst doctors that antibiotics are being over-prescribed in
half of all the cases. Alere has developed the Alere Afinion CRP
Test that helps physicians identify respiratory tract infections
that require medication. This in turn allows for more quicker and
targeted treatment decisions that can reduce the use of
antibiotics. The company also offers easy-to-use diagnostic tools
that help in early detection of diseases like Strep A, RSV,
Influenza, S. pneumoniae, MRSA and C. difficile and others.
Our Take
Mass.-based Alere caters to patient health by providing
diagnostic tools and services that increase patient awareness for
self-management. It has a wide portfolio of rapid diagnostic and
monitoring products to improve clinical outcomes. The company
aims to be the leader in rapid 'near-patient' or point-of-care
testing (POCT) or diagnostics. We believe that this campaign
should support Alere's strategy to shift focus from
over-prescription of antibiotics toward more targeted
therapy.
However, Alere is plagued by margin pressure. The company has
been reporting losses for quite sometime. Further, its heavy
reliance on acquisitions has led to substantial indebtedness.
Alere needs to successfully integrate the acquired entities to
avoid wastage of resources.
Alere carries a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell). Companies like
Nuvasive Inc.
(
NUVA
), carrying a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), as well as
Edwards Lifesciences
(
EW
) and
Hanger Inc.
(
HGR
), which carry a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), are expected to do well in
the medical industry.
ALERE INC (ALR): Free Stock Analysis Report
EDWARDS LIFESCI (EW): Free Stock Analysis
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HANGER ORTHOPED (HGR): Free Stock Analysis
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NUVASIVE INC (NUVA): Free Stock Analysis
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