Clicks Eases State HIV/AIDS Load

South Africa's campaign to test 15 million residents for HIV by June 2011 is getting help from a retail pharmaceutical chain eager to illustrate it can provide primary care to state-funded patients.

Pharmacy chain Clicks said it has administered 20,000 HIV tests since the program began in April. Sixty percent were to state-funded patients, whom Clicks has committed to test for free, and the rest were private patients, who pay a nominal fee. During the first three months of the year, Clicks tested fewer than 10,000 people, none of them state patients.

"Clicks pharmacies have a role to play in providing primary health services conveniently and accessibly. This is a perfect example of how we can help," said Dan Zinner, head of Clicks' new business development.

Government health workers are referring patients to Clicks, where, Zinner said, the testing process is more private and convenient than in a state facility.

"Independent and retail pharmacies provide a safe environment where you can pick up some lipstick, shampoo, and an HIV test," Zinner said.

Results are reported to the health department. About 5 percent of those tested so far are HIV-positive, Zinner said.

South Africa's testing campaign also offers screening for tuberculosis, diabetes, high blood pressure, and anemia.

The Friends of AIDS Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV virus. To learn more about The Friends of AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.


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