On this, World Aids Day, MUN’s School of Pharmacy is launching a study that will provide free, fast and confidential testing for HIV, hepatitis C and syphilis in participating pharmacies throughout this province, Nova Scotia and Alberta during a one-year period.
Eleven pharmacies on the island are going to offer the service which will give people more options. Testing for HIV, Hep C and syphilis took a sharp decline during the pandemic with such services being diverted to COVID testing.
Dr. Debbie Kelly of the school of pharmacy says they can provide different types of screening.
The test can be a finger stick sample with results available on the spot, and there’s also a dried blood spot test which can be used for all three using one finger stick sample. Results take two to three weeks.
Gerard Yetman, executive director of the AIDS Committee of Newfoundland and Labrador, says the shortage of family doctors is a significant barrier for some people who wish to have a test. The service will be provided in a discreet setting.
He says it’s difficult for people to get to where they have to go with limited public transportation.
