FDA Approves First At-Home Pap Smear Alternative
The FDA has approved Teal Health’s Teal Wand, the first at-home alternative to the Pap smear in the U.S. This self-collection device uses a swab to gather a vaginal sample for HPV testing, mailed to a lab for analysis. Clinical trials demonstrated the at-home method’s efficacy and overwhelming preference among women, potentially increasing screening rates and reducing cervical cancer diagnoses. Available by prescription starting next month in California, the device aims to improve access to crucial preventative care.
John Q. Hosedrinker