Australia's first HIV Finger-prick home-testing kit for AIDS Diagnosis gets Approval

People consider HIV test to be more personal and opt for self-testing or finger-prick test at home, which helps to detect the HIV virus. 

Every individual between 13 to 65-year old who is sexually active should get tested every year.  Those who are addicted to drugs are also more prone to this virus.  These self-testing methods are used across countries such as US and Europe long back but many countries including Australia were not using this method till recently.

 Atomo Diagnostics, a Sydney-based company manufacture this single-use finger-prick test, which gives the result for HIV in just 15 minutes.  This is Australias first HIV home-testing kit that gets TGA approval.  HIV self-testing devices were banned in Australia until 2014, but they can purchase the kit online from overseas retailers.  The World Health Organisation has recommended the use of this type of home kits since 2016.  

The approved Atomo device will also be available for purchase online that helps to get more people to get treatment soon.  More than 10% of Australians with HIV are unaware of the positive status of their disease, most of them belonging to remote areas.

LGBTI advocate Dean Beck, who had been affected by this virus for about almost five years said Australia is standing behind the other countries, who had been using this kit for long.  Mr. Beck hoped that the testing kit would be available soon through over-the-counter pharmacies.

Professor Steve announces that the people who receive a positive result for HIV at home should have a regular visit to the medical clinics for treatment.  A TGA spokesman said Atomo Diagnostics would offer a 24-hour helpline to offer assistance to the kit users.

Mr. Hunt announced that the HIV medication Juluca had been listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, the cost of the treatment had been cut down from $11,000 annually to $39.50 per scrip.  Concession card holders will be able to access the drug for just $6.90 per script.  The Government has also taken various steps and agreed to put forth $5 million towards the development of a new strategy that includes the goal of eradicating HIV in Australia by 2022.