Cannot provide general information about test - not referring to specific test result

I emailed the relevant individual at Lancet to request information about a specific test.

An excerpt from my email: "I would most appreciate it if you would tell me what the starting dilution Lancet uses for the ANA (ANF) IFA titred test? I am aware that it varies across labs and it seems common to use 1:80 rather than the more sensitive 1:40."

The reply: "Please explain why this information is required."

My followup reply: "Thank you for your reply. Actually I am just a researcher and am inquiring as a matter of interest. There was a change in legislation in the USA that led to the screening dilution to increase from 1:40 to 1:80 so I am interested in surveying the 3 main private labs in South Africa. Ampath and Pathcare both use a screening dilution of 1:80."

I received no reply to the above. Both Ampath and Pathcare responded courteously to my question. I do not see why this simple question is privileged. I also phoned Lancet and was told that I need to be a Doctor to be provided with an answer. This is ridiculous - I am not asking about a specif blood test result, merely the test in general.