Health Canada Advisory: Unlicensed HIV Home Test Kit

published on September 15, 2011

Dear colleagues, patients and healthcare providers:

Health Canada has issued a public advisory alerting Canadians about a Toronto company, ACCU-METRICS, which has been advertising the sale of HIV home test kits through its website.

Health Canada has advised not to use the Accu-HIV 1 & 2 Saliva Test or any other HIV home test kits as they have not been authorized for home use in Canada. Health Canada said that inaccurate test results from unlicensed HIV test kits may provide Canadians with false test results, such as a failure to diagnose HIV infection in an infected individual, or indicate HIV infection when this is not present.

Patients who want to know their HIV status or have used any HIV home test kits should consult with their health provider for proper HIV testing and counselling. If you are in B.C. and would like more information about HIV testing, please refer to the information provided by the BC Centre for Disease Control (PDF).

Consumers and health professionals wanting more information about this advisory from Health Canada can contact their Public Enquiries Line at 613-957-2991, or toll free at 1-866-225-0709. You can review Health Canada’s full advisory.

Proper HIV testing should be part of routine preventive healthcare. Expanding access to HIV testing is a critical first step in identifying and linking patients to care and treatment as currently being promoted by the STOP HIV/AIDS pilot project.

STOP HIV/AIDS (Seek and Treat for Optimal Prevention of HIV/AIDS) is a four-year, $48-million program funded by the British Columbia Ministry of Health Services to improve access to HIV testing, treatment, and support services in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside and Prince George. Diagnosing HIV infection early and providing treatment to eligible individuals has the dual benefit of improving the health of patients and reducing the likelihood of HIV transmission. The pilot is based on the BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS’ Treatment as Prevention strategy.

Many thanks for your attention to this important matter.

Yours sincerely,

Dr. Julio Montaner

BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS

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Health Canada Advisory: Unlicensed HIV Home Test Kit

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