HIV Self-Testing Approved in Canada!

Exciting news! Health Canada has provided final approval of Canada’s first HIV self-test on November 3, 2020. You can read key messages related to this announcement from REACH Nexus here.  

This announcement marks a critical step to ending the HIV epidemic in Canada. HIV self-testing is expected to provide greater access to testing as Canadians will now be able to self-administer the HIV test on their own and where they feel most comfortable. This is expected to lead to more people learning about their HIV status which will help them link into care and other prevention services.  

The INSTI HIV Self Test was developed by Vancouver based company, bioLyticalThe test is conducted by a finger prick blood test and the results can then be determined in approximately one minute. study led by Dr. Sean Rourke at REACH Nexus demonstrated this test was easy to use and more than 99% accurate.  

PAN, with other key partners, is supporting its members and allied stakeholders in engaging with this new option in BC – please see our updated New testing technologies for STBBIs page for additional resources and information on this exciting development!