Atomo Diagnostics, the manufacturer and supplier of Australia's only TGA approved HIV Self-Test, and the Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations (AFAO) have aligned to help counter the spread of HIV/AIDS locally.
The alliance will be marked to coincide with World AIDS Day on December 1.
The elimination of HIV transmission remains a key focus for both Australia's LGBTIQ Community and the Australian Government, and the availability of self-testing throughout many pharmacies come mid-December, should help toward making that goal achievable.
Atomo's HIV Self-Test is the only option to support self-monitoring for HIV infection and gives individuals the confidence to take immediate action - allowing them to know their status.
Co-founder and Managing Director of Atomo Diagnostics, John Kelly, said the opening of pharmacy channels for supply of the Atomo HIV Self-Test and the removal of prohibitions on advertising the product and Atomo's direct to consumer website represent a significant step forward in the fight against HIV transmission in Australia. AFAO's support has assisted in driving these regulatory changes which we believe will materially broaden access to HIV self-testing.
Atomo is the only company in Australia with an approved HIV self-test listed by TGA on the ARTG and is proud to be able to make this vital home screening tool more widely available to the community.
Managing Director of the Sydney-based Serafim Pharmacy, Nick Serafim said, "Serafims Bourke St Pharmacy are stocking the ATOMO HIV Self-Test especially for those patients not getting regular testing through their Doctors - the ATOMO HIV self- test provides an accurate and convenient way to test for HIV. This in turn enables patients to seek effective treatment options as soon as possible."
Western Australia's Pharmacy 777 Group's Kristian Ray said it was proud to get behind such important community health initiative and partner with Atomo Diagnostics to increase the reach of HIV testing to the community. "Having this Self-Test available in pharmacy is an important step in community pharmacy's role in HIV prevention."
According to Mr Ray, Community Pharmacists provide convenient access and support to connect people to allied health and HIV support services in their local area. "We are also working to improve access to support across the state including in regional locations where local services may be limited."
Mr Kelly said, "Atomo continues to lead the way in the innovation and delivery of easy-to-use diagnostic solutions, and the significant broadening in the availability of HIV self-testing, reinforces just how critical a role self-testing increasingly plays in the delivery of improved health outcomes."
