To perform a DNA test, you need to collect a biological sample containing an individual’s cells. The most common type of sample for a private test is a saliva sample.
Indeed, the inside of the cheek (buccal mucosa) contains enough epithelial cells to allow a reliable DNA analysis.
Other sources can also be used, including:
• Hair (with the hair follicle)
• Blood
• Nails
• Various personal items (e.g., a toothbrush)
However, for practical and reliability reasons, a buccal swab remains the most recommended method, especially since it is easy to perform, minimally invasive, and generally less expensive.
Can you buy a paternity test directly in a pharmacy?
You often see internet searches about a “DNA test kit” available to buy in a pharmacy, ready for use and providing an immediate result. In the vast majority of cases, you will not find, on a pharmacy shelf, a complete DNA test kit that allows the entire genetic analysis to be performed on-site.
Indeed, a paternity test involves extracting and analyzing DNA in a specialized laboratory. No reagent, machine, or similar kit is officially available in pharmacies to perform the analysis on-site. What you may find, in some cases, are collection kits, usually consisting of buccal swabs and tubes or storage bags.
The principle remains the same: you take the sample yourself (at home or with your doctor), then send it to an accredited genetic testing laboratory. The laboratory will carry out the necessary tests and communicate the results to you by mail, email, or through a secure online platform.
What materials can you actually find in a pharmacy?
Even if you cannot buy a complete “paternity test” in a pharmacy, it may sometimes be possible to find sample collection materials, namely:
• Buccal swabs: These are short sticks with a cotton or synthetic tip, specifically designed to collect cells from the inside of the cheek.
• Tubes or storage bags: These may be offered to store the swab in a dry environment.
However, be cautious about residual moisture, which can encourage mold growth and damage the sample.
These products are not always available in every pharmacy, but if your pharmacy does offer them, they may sell them to you. In any case, the final analysis will not be done on-site: you will need to send your samples to a specialized laboratory, along with the required documents (identification form, consent forms, etc.).
How is a saliva swab taken?
A saliva sample is known for being simple, quick, and cost-effective. Here are the main steps:
Prepare your buccal swabs: Make sure you have sterile or unused swabs that haven’t come into contact with any other surface.
Avoid contamination before sampling: It is generally recommended not to eat, drink, smoke, or brush your teeth at least 30 minutes to 1 hour beforehand. Any substance introduced into the mouth (food, beverages, chewing gum, toothpaste) can contaminate the sample and make analysis more difficult.
Perform the swab: Gently insert the swab into your mouth, then firmly rub the inside of the cheek (the buccal mucosa) for 30 seconds to 1 minute. Repeat the procedure on the other cheek with a second swab if the laboratory requests it.
Allow the swab to dry: This step is often underestimated but crucial. If you enclose the swab while it is still moist, the humidity can lead to mold. It is recommended to let the swab air dry for at least 30 minutes, in a clean and dry place, before storing it.
Store the sample: Place the dry swab in a tube or paper envelope. Label it clearly, for example with the person’s name, date, etc.
Send the sample to the laboratory: Follow the instructions provided by the laboratory. Most of the time, you will need to fill out a form with your information and that of the other participants in the test, then mail everything together.
What if you cannot find a buccal swab in a pharmacy?
In some areas, specialized buccal swabs may not be available in pharmacies. In that case, you have two options:
• Order a sampling kit from a laboratory: Most laboratories specializing in DNA testing send a complete kit to your home, including swabs, shipping envelopes, and detailed instructions. This guarantees suitable materials and clear instructions to reduce the risk of contamination.
• Use regular cotton swabs: Although this is not the most official method, it can work in a pinch. The cotton swabs sold in supermarkets are simply shorter and less practical, but they can collect enough cheek cells for analysis.
Here too, you must carefully follow hygiene and drying instructions (let the cotton swab dry before putting it in a sealed bag or tube).
The important thing is to ensure that the laboratory receiving the sample can analyze it correctly. Some laboratories have specific requirements regarding the type of swab or support used. Therefore, it is advisable to inquire in advance.
Why do you absolutely need to use a specialized laboratory?
The main reason is that genetic analysis requires high-tech equipment and advanced scientific expertise. DNA extraction and the amplification (PCR) of genetic markers are complex and expensive procedures that cannot be performed on a simple pharmacy counter.
A specialized laboratory has:
• Suitable equipment and reagents
• Strict protocols to reduce the risk of errors
• Qualified staff to interpret results
By entrusting your samples to an accredited laboratory, you ensure a result that is nearly 100% reliable, as well as more rigorous confidentiality for your personal data. Therefore, it is the only way to obtain a paternity test that is trustworthy and recognized in an informational or even legal context (where permitted by the country’s legislation and subject to specific conditions).
How do you prevent sample degradation?
Once you have taken the buccal sample, poor storage of the sample can compromise the test results. Mold, excessive heat, humidity, or contact with other contaminated surfaces are all factors that can degrade DNA.
To avoid these problems:
• Properly dry the swab: As mentioned above, let it air dry for a few minutes in a clean area to eliminate excess moisture.
• Store in airtight packaging: A sealed bag or well-closed tube is ideal, provided there is no residual moisture.
• Label clearly: Write down the name and date to avoid mixing up samples if multiple samples are taken (for instance, for several children or a combined paternity/maternity test).
• Send promptly: Avoid keeping the sample at home for too long. It is best to mail it to the laboratory within 24 to 48 hours after collection to ensure the freshness of the cells and the reliability of the analysis.
Conclusion: Can you really buy a paternity test in a pharmacy?
To conclude, it is important to understand that a “paternity test in a pharmacy” does not exist in the form of a product you could buy, take home, and analyze immediately. Pharmacies may occasionally offer sampling kits (buccal swabs, tubes, or storage bags), but the DNA analysis must be carried out in a specialized laboratory.
A reliable paternity test requires high-level scientific equipment and expertise, which only accredited facilities possess. While you can perform the first step of the process (the sampling) at home or with your pharmacist’s help, you must then send your sample to a laboratory that will perform the analysis.
Thus, even if the pharmacy can provide part of the material or advise you on the procedure, the conclusion is clear: there is no “turnkey” paternity test available directly in a pharmacy. You must contact a specialized laboratory or a reliable online company to order your kit, collect the sample following the instructions, and have your samples analyzed by professionals. You will then receive a reliable and secure result, which can answer your questions about paternity or any other family relationship.