GC Media: OTC to Fight HIV

New York, NY, March 16, 2012 --(PR.com)-- A grassroots online petition is underway to encourage the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) to allow consumers to purchase OraQuick rapid HIV test over the counter. A public educational awareness campaign has also been launched around this effort using social media and will conclude on December 1, 2012 - World AIDS DAY. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates 1.2 million people in the United States have HIV, of which 240,000 are unaware.

“The first defense for testing remains at the doctor’s office and that shouldn't change. Funding for local groups that know the population most vulnerable have been put on the back burner. We must act now to say lives. As advocates, we must move with the current,” said long-time AIDS activist Victor Mooney.

South African Arts International, ltd, a New York based not-for-profit organization has partnered with Orasure Technologies previously for an educational awareness project that distributed OraQuick rapid HIV test for a targeted audience. South African Arts International was given a sizable amount of "sample" diagnostic sticks to show the simplicity of testing. The findings from this study showed that people were receptive to using this diagnostic tool and later shared that they wouldn't mine administering this test in the privacy of their home in written comments.

Online Petition:
www.change.org/petitions/food-and-drug-administration-approve-rapid-hiv-test-for-over-the-counter-sales

On the net:
facebook.com/OTCtofightHIV
twitter.com/OTCtofightHIV