Australia approves use of HIV home tests but none are yet ready for sale in the country The Australian Government has approved the personal use of HIV home tests so that people can test themselves for the virus but people will need to import them themselves 04 SEPTEMBER 2014 | BY ANDREW POTTS The Australian Government has removed barriers to the use of HIV home tests in Australia in a move that LGBTI community health groups hope will help Australia reach its goal of ending new HIV transmissions in the country by 2020. HIV home test devices allow users to perform an initial screening test in the comfort and privacy of their home, involving a mouth swab or finger prick - which produces a result in less than 30 minutes. Any such device needs to be approved by the countrys Therapeutic Goods Administration before they can be officially sold in Australia, but it is now legal for individuals to import devices from overseas for personal use in Australia. Seeking an approval from the Therapeutic Goods Administration would likely cost a company more than $100,000. ‘Companies can now apply to the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) for approval to supply their test kits and if they meet Australia’s rigorous standards and are approved will be able to be sold direct to consumers,’ Australian Health Minister Peter Dutton said, following the change. ‘We know that there are Australians living with undiagnosed HIV. Home self-testing provides an additional testing option that complements current options and allows people living with HIV to learn their HIV status and seek appropriate treatment and support. ‘It also overcomes some of the common concerns people have about receiving the test in a medical setting and gives them more choice. The early diagnosis of HIV is critical to supporting Australians living with the condition to get the treatment they need sooner and to stop its spread.’ However HIV home kits can sometimes give false positive results so it is recommended that people attend a health clinic for another test if they get a positive result. OraSures OraQuickTM is the only home test device approved for home use in the US but no such device has been approved as yet for use in the UK, France or Australia. - See more at: gaystarnews/article/australia-approves-use-hiv-home-tests-none-are-yet-ready-sale-country040914#sthash.Y5NgeAIy.dpuf
Posted on: Thu, 04 Sep 2014 09:23:15 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015