BioSure's HIV Self Test to be sold in the UK
Top Story
By: Katie Bell
Ref: Daily Mail, International Business Times, The Huffington Post, BBC News, Yahoo!News, the Independent, The Economic Times, The Telegraph
Published: 04/27/2015
BioSure launched its HIV Self Test in the UK on Monday, making it the first CE-marked HIV self-testing kit available for sale in the country. The device is available in England, Scotland and Wales, while Northern Ireland is considering legal changes to allow the sale of home-testing kits."BioSure HIV Self Test has gone through extensive scrutiny and is the only [such] product approved for sale in the UK," the company noted.
The test, which is available for purchase online at 29.95 pounds ($45.43), provides a 99.7-percent accuracy rate, "is extremely easy to perform, requires only a tiny drop of blood, and gives a clear and simple-to-read result in just 15 minutes," according to BioSure. Specifically, the test measures levels of HIV antibodies in a sample of blood drawn from the fingertip using a lancet, with a positive result indicated by two purple lines. The test can only detect antibodies three months after suspected exposure to infection, and results need to be confirmed by a healthcare professional.
BioSure founder Brigette Bard suggested the test is a significant step towards normalising HIV testing. "Knowing your HIV status is critical and the launch of this product will empower people to discreetly test themselves when it is convenient to them and in a place where they feel comfortable," she noted.
Michael Brady, of Kings College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, called the test a "really exciting development," adding that "the single biggest thing that we can do to have a major impact on the HIV epidemic is to dramatically increase HIV testing rates, especially in those most at risk." UK legislation permitting the sale of home tests for HIV went into effect last year.
The test, which is available for purchase online at 29.95 pounds ($45.43), provides a 99.7-percent accuracy rate, "is extremely easy to perform, requires only a tiny drop of blood, and gives a clear and simple-to-read result in just 15 minutes," according to BioSure. Specifically, the test measures levels of HIV antibodies in a sample of blood drawn from the fingertip using a lancet, with a positive result indicated by two purple lines. The test can only detect antibodies three months after suspected exposure to infection, and results need to be confirmed by a healthcare professional.
BioSure founder Brigette Bard suggested the test is a significant step towards normalising HIV testing. "Knowing your HIV status is critical and the launch of this product will empower people to discreetly test themselves when it is convenient to them and in a place where they feel comfortable," she noted.
Michael Brady, of Kings College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, called the test a "really exciting development," adding that "the single biggest thing that we can do to have a major impact on the HIV epidemic is to dramatically increase HIV testing rates, especially in those most at risk." UK legislation permitting the sale of home tests for HIV went into effect last year.