Posts
OraSure Technologies recently
received approval to market its in-home HIV test in the United States, but it
will not say whether it is attempting to sell the product in Canada. A company
spokesperson told the Star that OraSure is looking to market the product
outside the United States, “but no definitive plans have been finalized.”
Companies wishing to market medical
devices in Canada must submit a license application to Health Canada. Health
Canada considers information related to license applications confidential and
would not confirm whether the agency had received an application for the test.
The new in-home test, which will be
available in 30,000 US retail locations by October, uses a swab to collect
saliva from the mouth and can detect HIV antibodies in 20 minutes.
Dr. Mark Wainberg, head of HIV/AIDS
research at Lady Davis Institute in Montreal, said he hopes the test will soon
be available in Canada. “If people at risk know they are positive, chances are
they will practice safer sex than they would if they didn’t know and this will
protect others and diminish transmissions.” He added that it would also
encourage people to seek treatment.
According to the Public Health
Agency of Canada, an estimated 65,000 people are living with HIV in Canada, and
approximately 16,900 - or 26 percent - are unaware of their infection.
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.
TOGETHER WE REMAIN STRONG!
