The Royal Pharmaceutical Society has welcomed a change in the law that has allowed the sale of licensed HIV testing kits. Under previous regulations, HIV testing had to be carried out by a healthcare professional, although unlicensed self testing kits, which may give unreliable results, have been widely available online. However, since 6 April, home HIV tests have become subject to regulation by the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).

Heather Leake Date, RPS spokesperson on HIV, said: “HIV self testing kits may help increase diagnosis by providing more choice for people who have been at risk but are reluctant to get a test in person from existing services. This will also help reduce the risk of new HIV infections.” She advised people only to buy self-testing kits from trusted sources, such as community pharmacies, and to check for the CE mark.