Walgreens and Greater Than AIDS team up

Walgreens and Greater Than AIDS announced their collaboration last week.

This nationwide public relation effort seeks to inform consumers about HIV and HIV prevention before National HIV Testing Day on June 27.

Walgreens stores in 150 cities will provide HIV testing June 23-25. Trained counselors will explain the test results onsite. Counseling about prevention strategies, such as Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), will also be available.

“HIV is still a real and serious disease," Walgreens Senior Director and Pharmacist Glen Pietrandoni said. "But with the right treatment and care, people living with HIV can expect to live as long as the average person. So it’s important to take control of your health by getting a test and learning your status. If negative, there are now prevention options like PrEP, which can help prevent you from getting HIV if you are exposed to the virus. If positive, getting into care early makes a big difference in the long run.”

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends HIV testing for all Americans. Despite the recommendations, Kaiser Family Foundation's survey reveal that 43 percent of those surveyed have never been tested and 37 percent have not been tested for more than one year.

High risk patients have the option of PrEP, which are HIV medicines that lower the chance of infection. Truvada, a combination of two HIV medications, is approved for daily use as a PrEP. It can reduce the risk of catching HIV by 90 percent in sexually active patients and by 70 percent in drug users.  

“We are fortunate to have a strong presence in — and close relationship with — communities across America, making us uniquely suited to serve those living with HIV or at risk of being exposed to HIV," Walgreens President of Pharmacy and Retail Operations Richard Ashworth said. "It’s one of the best ways I know to champion everyone’s right to be happy and healthy.”