HIV TEST KITS ON HIGH ST

15-minute test could save lives

BY KATHLEEN SPEIRS HIV self-testing kits are available on the Scottish high street for the first time.

Superdrug said they are the first retailer to offer an HIV self-testing kit across their 200 pharmacy stores for £33.99.

Six branches with the kit are in Scotland, with one just over the border. The BioSURE HIV Self Test was previously available online.

It became the first legally-approved selftesting kit in 2015, with a 99.7 per cent accuracy rate. It uses blood from a finger prick sample to detect the presence of HIV antibodies with a result in 15 minutes.

Dr Pixie McKenna, Superdrug’s health expert, said while there was no cure, early diagnosis was critical in managing the disease.