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News Release
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Greater Than AIDS, with Support from Walgreens and Orasure
Technologies, to Provide 10,000 Free In-Home HIV Tests to Community
Partners
The
Collaboration Expands HIV Self-Testing in High-Need Areas During COVID-19.
San Francisco, CA, June 25, 2020
– With in-person health services limited due to COVID-19, Greater Than
AIDS, a public information initiative of KFF, and Walgreens today
announced a new program to provide 10,000 OraQuick®
In-Home HIV Test kits to support expanded testing options in
high-need areas. Local health agencies and community-based organizations will
distribute the FDA-approved, self-administered tests at no cost to those
unable to get tested in person.
Just ahead of the 25th anniversary of
National HIV Testing Day (June 27), the announcement comes at a critical time
with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimating
that HIV testing is down 50 to 70 percent since February.
“As COVID-19 continues, we are seeing
how it threatens other health responses,” said Tina Hoff, a senior vice
president at KFF, which directs Greater Than AIDS. “This program aims to
support frontline HIV service organizations as they transition to new ways of
providing care during these difficult times.”
Walgreens is providing a donation for
the purchase of 9,000 OraQuick HIV test kits with an additional 1,000 donated
by OraSure Technologies, Inc., the manufacturer of the rapid oral swab HIV
self-tests. KFF, through Greater Than AIDS, is managing distribution of the
test kits to community partners.
“While HIV testing efforts may look
different than in years past, we’re honored to collaborate with Greater Than
AIDS in our 10th year of working together to highlight the critical role
testing plays in prevention and care,” said Luke Sauter, vice president,
specialty pharmacy, Walgreens. “Walgreens continues to advocate for HIV
testing, education and care in the communities we serve with over 3,000
HIV-trained specialists in our stores.”
A record 325+ community partners,
including health departments and HIV service organizations, in 215 cities in
47 states had signed on to provide free HIV testing in Walgreens stores
across the country as part of the 2020 Greater Than
AIDS/Walgreens National HIV Community Partnership when the
in-store activation was put on hold due to COVID-19. These community partners
-- including those in the 48 counties in the federal Ending the HIV
Epidemic: A Plan for America -- will be prioritized to receive the free
HIV self-tests through this program.
The Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) recently issued new information about the OraQuick
In-Home HIV Test to support wider use, and a Dear Colleague
Letter from the CDC in May encourages offering HIV self-testing to
PrEP clients during COVID-19. Quarterly HIV testing is required as part of
the prescribing protocols for PrEP, the HIV prevention pill.
“When it comes to eradicating HIV, the
first step is to know your HIV status. On this year’s National HIV Testing
Day, we are honored to work with Greater Than AIDS and Walgreens to provide
OraQuick In-Home HIV Tests to allow testing at home or wherever is
convenient,” said Stephen S. Tang, President and Chief Executive Officer of
OraSure Technologies. “COVID-19 has interrupted so much of ‘normal’ life.
Let’s make sure it doesn’t halt the fight against HIV/AIDS.”
Greater Than AIDS and Walgreens will
also provide community partners with informational materials and digital
promotions to support awareness and outreach.
For more about the Greater Than
AIDS/Walgreens National HIV Community Partnership and other efforts to expand
HIV testing, go to: greaterthan.org/walgreens.
About Greater Than AIDS
Greater Than AIDS is a leading national public information response from KFF focused on communities most affected in the U.S. Through targeted media messages and community outreach, Greater Than AIDS and its partners works to increase knowledge, reduce stigma and promote actions to stem the spread of the disease.
Since 2011, the Greater Than
AIDS/Walgreens National HIV Community Partnership has joined with
health departments and HIV service organizations across the country to
provide more than 57,000 free HIV tests in Walgreens stores in support of
National HIV Testing Day (NHTD). In 2019, the Partnership accounted for more
than three quarters of NHTD events reported by the CDC.
Filling the need for trusted
information on national health issues. KFF
(Kaiser Family Foundation) is a nonprofit organization based in San
Francisco, California.
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Thursday, June 25, 2020
Greater Than AIDS & Walgreens Distribute 10,000 Free HIV Self-Tests
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