Education, Good to Know

Data from the Drug Testing Industry

Camie

The drug testing industry plays a critical role in public safety, workplace productivity, healthcare, and legal compliance. As substance use patterns shift and new testing technologies emerge, data from this industry offers valuable insight into societal trends and institutional priorities. From pre-employment screenings and random workplace tests to clinical diagnostics and forensic investigations, drug testing data reflects more than just substance detection, it highlights regional usage trends, testing preferences, regulatory shifts, and technological adoption.

Over the past decade, the industry has seen increased demand for faster, more accurate, and less invasive testing methods. The prevalence of drug and alcohol testing varies across industry groups. Employers continue to rely heavily on urine tests, while interest grows in oral fluid, hair, and breath-based alternatives. Each with unique advantages and limitations. Meanwhile, data analytics has become central to improving testing efficiency and compliance tracking.

This article explores current data from leading laboratories, distributors, and public health sources to paint a comprehensive picture of today’s drug testing landscape.

Which Companies Are Manufacturing And Distributing Drug Tests?

Several companies are recognized as leading manufacturers and distributors of top-selling drug testing kits, serving various sectors such as healthcare, workplace safety, law enforcement, and at-home testing.​

Major Global Manufacturers and Distributors

  1. Abbott Laboratories
    A prominent player in the diagnostics industry, Abbott offers a range of rapid drug testing kits, including urine and saliva tests. Their products are widely used in clinical and workplace settings.
  2. Quest Diagnostics
    Specializing in laboratory-based drug testing services, Quest Diagnostics provides comprehensive testing solutions for employers, healthcare providers, and government agencies.
  3. Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings (LabCorp)
    LabCorp offers extensive drug testing services, including both laboratory and point-of-care testing options, catering to a broad client base across various industries.
  4. Thermo Fisher Scientific
    Known for its scientific instrumentation and reagents, Thermo Fisher provides drug testing solutions that are utilized in research and clinical laboratories worldwide.
  5. OraSure Technologies, Inc.
    OraSure specializes in oral fluid drug testing kits, offering non-invasive testing options that are particularly useful in workplace and criminal justice settings.
  6. Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc.
    Bio-Rad offers a variety of diagnostic products, including drug testing kits that are used in clinical laboratories for the detection of various substances.
  7. Drägerwerk AG & Co. KGaA
    Drägerwerk provides breathalyzer and drug detection devices, commonly used by law enforcement and in occupational health settings.
  8. Siemens Healthineers
    Siemens offers a range of diagnostic solutions, including drug testing assays and analyzers used in clinical laboratories.
  9. Alfa Scientific Designs, Inc.
    Alfa Scientific Designs develops rapid diagnostic tests, including drug testing kits that are utilized in various point-of-care settings.
  10. Omega Laboratories, Inc.
    Omega Laboratories specializes in hair drug testing services, providing high-volume testing solutions for employers and criminal justice agencies.

Notable U.S.-Based Distributors and Suppliers

  • 12 Panel Now
    Offers a wide selection of FDA-approved and CLIA-waived drug testing kits, including urine and oral swab tests, catering to both bulk purchasers and individual consumers. ​12panelnow.com+1buyersguide.ohsonline.com+1
  • Rapid Detect Inc.
    Provides affordable and easy-to-use drug testing kits suitable for various settings, including workplaces and clinics. ​buyersguide.ohsonline.com
  • DrugTestsInBulk.com
    Specializes in bulk sales of drug testing kits, serving employers, staffing agencies, and rehabilitation centers. ​Drug Tests in Bulk
  • Transmetron
    A wholesale distributor offering FDA-approved instant drug test kits and laboratory services, catering to various industries. ​Thomasnet

These companies have established themselves as key players in the drug testing market by providing reliable and diverse testing solutions to meet the needs of different sectors.

Which drug tests do not require urine?

1. Saliva (Oral Fluid) Drug Tests

  • How it works: A swab is used to collect saliva from inside the mouth.
  • Detection window: Typically detects drug use within the past 24–48 hours.
  • Commonly tested drugs: THC, cocaine, amphetamines, opiates, methamphetamines, PCP.
  • Used by: Law enforcement (DUI stops), workplaces, at-home kits.

2. Hair Follicle Drug Tests

  • How it works: A small hair sample (typically 1.5 inches) is cut close to the scalp.
  • Detection window: Detects drug use up to 90 days prior.
  • Commonly tested drugs: Cocaine, marijuana, opiates, methamphetamine, ecstasy, PCP.
  • Used by: Employers, courts, and child custody cases.

3. Sweat (Patch) Drug Tests

  • How it works: A patch is worn on the skin for several days (usually 7–14) to collect sweat.
  • Detection window: Continuous detection while the patch is worn.
  • Commonly tested drugs: Cocaine, opiates, amphetamines, marijuana, PCP.
  • Used by: Parole/probation monitoring, drug treatment programs.

4. Breath Drug Tests

  • How it works: The person breathes into a specialized device.
  • Detection window: Primarily used for very recent drug or alcohol use.
  • Most common for: Alcohol; some emerging tech can detect cannabis.
  • Used by: Police, roadside testing.

The most requested drug test by employers is the 5-panel urine test because it meets most federal and state guidelines.

What’s Included in the Standard 5-Panel Urine Test?

It typically screens for:

  1. THC (marijuana)
  2. Cocaine
  3. Amphetamines (including meth)
  4. Opiates (e.g., morphine, codeine, heroin)
  5. Phencyclidine (PCP)

“Positivity rates for marijuana in the general U.S. workforce, based on more than 6 million urine tests, continued an upward climb, increasing 8.3% (3.6% in 2020 versus 3.9% in 2021), the highest positivity rate ever reported in the DTI. Over five years, positivity for marijuana in the general U.S. workforce increased 50% (2.6% in 2017 versus 3.9% in 2021).” (source)

According to Quest Diagnostics, “Urine drug test positivity for cocaine in the general U.S. workforce dropped to the lowest level since 2012. Positivity for cocaine declined 18.5 percent (0.27% in 2019 versus 0.22% in 2020). Positivity for cocaine over the past five years declined 21.4 percent (0.28% in 2016 versus 0.22% in 2020).”

What is the possibility of the breath or saliva drug test becoming the standard in the future?

With innovations in drug test technology, the breath or saliva tests may replace urine as the standard. Consider the possibility that these test can match or exceed urine testing in accuracy, reliability, cost, and compliance.

🔬 1. Improve Detection Windows

  • Current challenge: Saliva tests typically detect drug use within the past 24–48 hours, much shorter than urine’s 2–7 days.
  • Solution: Innovations in oral fluid technology would need to extend the detection window while maintaining accuracy.

2. Increase Accuracy and Sensitivity

  • Current challenge: Saliva tests may have higher false-negative rates, especially for certain substances like THC.
  • Solution: Labs must refine testing thresholds and develop standardized collection and analysis methods that rival urine testing sensitivity, especially for low-dose detection.

3. Regulatory Acceptance

  • Current challenge: Urine tests are federally approved and mandated in many sectors (e.g., DOT compliance).
  • Solution: Government agencies like SAMHSA, DOT, and OSHA would need to formally approve and adopt oral fluid testing as an equal or superior method.

4. Cost Efficiency and Accessibility

  • Current challenge: Saliva tests can be more expensive per unit and less scalable in bulk testing.
  • Solution: Mass production and simplified collection methods must drive costs down to match or undercut urine testing.

5. Shift in Employer and Public Perception

  • Current challenge: Employers trust urine tests as the long-standing industry norm.
  • Solution: Education campaigns, pilot programs, and strong third-party validation can help build confidence in saliva testing’s effectiveness.

With the right advancements and policy changes, that shift could realistically occur in the coming years.

The American drug testing industry continues to undergo many important changes and remains a key component in the protection of employers and employees alike. Let’s read more about this and factors shaping the industry.

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Published by Camie

Insights from online research.

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