Support for HIV home-test kit regulation

Could reduce cases of undiagnosed HIV

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Almost two-thirds of people would consider using HIV home testing kits if they were legally available and regulated in the UK, a survey found.
The sale of home testing kits for HIV is currently illegal in the UK. Although they can be bought over the internet, they are unregulated.
The HIV and sexual health charity, the Terence Higgins Trust (THT), said the kits are often of very poor quality and lack important information on HIV transmission and where users can go for support.
Figures from 2009 estimate that as many as 22,200 people in the UK have HIV but don't know it.
THT is now calling on the Government to legalise and regulate home testing kits so that more cases of undiagnosed HIV can be detected.
Of 490 people surveyed that had not tested HIV-positive, 63 per cent said they would consider using HIV testing kits if they were legalised and 51 per cent thought legalisation would make them test more often.
Among gay men, one of the groups most at risk of HIV in the UK, 60 per cent thought legalisation would make them test more often.
Lisa Power, policy director for THT said: "Reducing undiagnosed HIV is a major challenge. A quarter of those with HIV in the UK remain undiagnosed, and so are more likely to pass the virus on. One way to bring this number down is by increasing the opportunities for people to test outside of traditional settings.
"This research shows a clear bedrock of support for the legalisation of HIV home testing kits, particularly among gay men. We know some people will always be reluctant to visit traditional clinics; this legislation would give them the option to test for HIV in their own home.
"We urge the Government to repeal the ban and ensure HIV home testing kits are properly regulated in the UK."