Last Thursday, people all over the world watched the UK’s Prince Harry get his finger pricked when he streamed his HIV test, conducted in a clinic, live on Facebook.
People who prefer a less public test will benefit from bioLytical Laboratories’ new INSTI HIV Self Test, which was approved last week by the EU and will be available in retail and e-commerce sites by the fourth quarter of this year. According to bioLytical, INSTI is the world’s fastest HIV Self Test, providing instant results with just one drop of blood. The at-home test reportedly yields greater than 99% accuracy.
Getting tested for HIV is the first step in taking control of one’s health and preventing transmission to others, and it is a step that can be the hardest to take, according to healthcare professionals. “It’s amazing how quick it is,” said Harry about his bioLytical HIV test (negative), performed at the Burrell Street Sexual Health Centre in South London. “Once you get people through the door, that’s the hardest bit out of the way.”
“Accessibility, inconvenience, anxiety, lack of awareness, stigma and discrimination are some of the reasons why a person may hesitate to take an HIV test,” noted Rick Galli, Chief Technical Officer of bioLytical Laboratories, “and this is exactly why we commend Prince Harry’s efforts towards the cause.”
OTCs in Action also commends bioLytical Laboratories for its efforts to improve HIV testing in public and private.
Nicholas Hall Company Blog 