CDC brings rapid HIV tests to pharmacies, retail clinics

The CDC has announced a program to train pharmacists and retail store clinic staff to deliver confidential, rapid HIV testing.

The goal of the pilot project, being launched at 24 rural and urban sites to start, is to extend HIV testing and counseling into the services that are offered by pharmacies and retail clinics. The CDC will use results from the program to develop a model for implementation of HIV testing at pharmacies and retail settings in the United States.

According to a CDC press release, the program is part of the CDC’s efforts to support its 2006 recommendations that adults and adolescents be tested for HIV at least once.

“We know that getting people tested, diagnosed and linked to care are critical steps in reducing new HIV infections,” Kevin Fenton, MD, director of the CDC’s National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD and TB Prevention, said in the press release. “By bringing HIV testing into pharmacies, we believe we can reach more people by making testing more accessible and also reduce the stigma associated with HIV.”

Millions of Americans enter pharmacies every week, according to the press release, and an estimated 30% of the US population lives within a 10-minute drive of a retail clinic. For these reasons, pharmacies and retail clinics may be more accessible to those seeking an HIV test.

The 2-year initiative will include training for staff at pharmacies and retail clinics, which will include information on delivering rapid HIV testing and information on counseling those who are diagnosed with HIV.