One of our GRSD teachers worked at Tampax during the development of First Response Pregnancy Test in the 1980’s.
Issues:
How to manufacture and costs
How to ship
Selling the idea to consumers
FDA / Government
Making consumers happy
Quality Control
EPT (Error Proof Test) from another company was competition
What makes the cost of some tests more more expensive than others?
Uses different chemicals
Available materials
Tariffs
Shipping by air travel was expensive
Community income-Cost differences are caused by different materials used in the product, companies must look at regions and choose a price according to how much money consumers can afford while the company still makes a profit
Tests were successful with consumer
ELISA tests also considered-Ovulation test kits and strep test kits were never marketed because doctors were concerned about the accuracy obtained as the inexperienced public performed them. There was also concern about the loss of revenue from professional testing.
Proctor and Gamble bought company in the1980’s
(Proctor and Gamble had been competitors - now had the whole market)
Questions asked of guest speaker about the ELISA tests: enzyme linked antibody-antigen process
1. Buy or make chemicals? Buy
2. Was development in other countries occurring at the same time by other companies? unsure
3. Controversy over who could buy test? Consumers were happy that they could use an affordable, accurate product without going to the doctor.
4. Complaints? Expiration date may cause inaccurate results. Doctors felt they were infringing on their territory. Most controversy was before the product went to market.
Jen Petrucci and Lilly Dalton