Another first in HIV care for VCH

Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) and Providence Health Care (PHC) are piloting the feasibility of local pharmacies offering HIV tests to their customers – a first in Canada.

Starting this month, pharmacists at two Vancouver Medicine Shoppe pharmacies, located at 2030 Kingsway Ave. and 6180 Fraser St., will offer customers a rapid HIV test for free. Customers will know their test results on the spot in less than five minutes. During a year-long pilot, pharmacists trained by HIV VCH and PHC nurses will offer customers an optional HIV test for free. Each pharmacy is located next to a Pacific Medical Walk-in Clinic where doctors will provide support to patients and link them to care and treatment, if required.

“B.C. is recognized as a global leader in the fight against HIV/AIDS and I believe that through bold action and smart investment we can remain leaders,” said Health Minister Terry Lake. “This pilot is another step forward and will go a long way to improve early diagnosis and save lives.”

Kudos to the VCH/PHC STOP HIV Team
VCH and PHC hospitals were the first in Canada to offer routine HIV testing. In May of this year, Powell River General Hospital was added to the list.

More than 60 patients in Vancouver hospitals have tested positive for HIV since the program began in October 2011. These patients would otherwise not have known they were infected. Prior to these pilots, usually only those at high risk for HIV such as those who use intravenous drugs were offered the test.

“We see too many people who are newly diagnosed with HIV, but are already in the advanced stages of the disease,” said Dr. Réka Gustafson, medical health officer and medical director, Communicable Disease Control, VCH. “We can’t stress enough how very crucial early treatment is for those infected. While HIV is a chronic infection, early treatment prolongs and improves people’s lives and reduces transmission to others.”

Encourage your patients/clients to get tested
Anyone between the ages of 18 to 70 should be tested regularly.  Through the STOP HIV/AIDS program, HIV testing has been expanded throughout Vancouver and is available at community testing sites, hospitals, walk-in clinics and through family physicians.