Abbott Launches Panbio HIV Self Test at Retail in Hong Kong

Abbott announced today it has launched a new HIV home test, the Panbio™ HIV Self Test, for over-the-counter purchase at e-commerce channels in Hong Kong, allowing users to obtain results anytime, anywhere in 15-20 minutes.

The Panbio™ HIV Self Test is a newly developed rapid, fingerstick blood test for the detection of HIV-1 and HIV-2 antibodies, the two types of HIV virus that can develop into AIDS. It can recognize patients as positive 1-14 days earlier than previous second-generation tests from exposure to HIV infection. Several peer-reviewed studies and meta-analyses have shown blood-based collection for HIV self-testing to be more accurate when compared to oral fluid (saliva) collection for rapid diagnostic tests.

The number of HIV tests conducted in Hong Kong fell by 55.4% in 2020 compared with that in 2019, according to AIDS Concern Hong Kong. This was due to the closure and reduction in operational hours of testing centers due to COVID-19. People also chose to delay testing while the COVID-19 control measures were in place.

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“During the pandemic, progress against HIV slowed as resources were diverted in many areas. It’s now time to escalate the fight against HIV by reaching more people, especially people who are reticent to seek care in professional environments,” said Mr. Qiu Jianping, Greater China General Manager of Abbott Rapid Diagnostics.

There have been significant advances around human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) detection and treatment, yet stigma and fear of a positive diagnosis are the major reasons people avoid getting tested. This innovation brings a trusted and accurate self-test to the front lines of the HIV epidemic, enabling reliable detection of HIV in the privacy of people’s homes or where they live, study, socialize and work.

According to a report by the Centre for Health Protection of the HKSAR Government in 2021, some people discovered that they were infected with HIV by coincidence. This reinforces the need for standardized testing: one in every 3,876 pregnant women was tested HIV-positive when attending public antenatal services; one in every 10,088 new blood donors was tested HIV positive.

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“Giving people the ability to test themselves conveniently and discretely in the privacy of their homes helps to prevent onward transmission of the virus and gets more people into the healthcare system where they can be treated and counseled,” said Mr. Qiu.

The report by the Centre for Health Protection also showing HIV infection status in Hong Kong for 2021. Most (71.4%) HIV-infected people were diagnosed between the age of 20 and 49. Sexual contact contributed to 80.8% of all reported HIV cases, and majority of the HIV cases reported were male (82.1%).

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Global goals to reduce and end HIV are fast approaching. The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) aims to diagnose 95% of all HIV-positive patients, provide antiretroviral therapy for 95% of those diagnosed and achieve viral suppression for 95% of those treated by 2030. And making fast, private, reliable testing accessible is critical to winning the fight to end HIV.

“While significant advancements have been made using antiretroviral therapy, which can reduce a person’s viral load to levels that are undetectable, people can only take advantage of the therapy if they know they’re HIV-positive—and that requires testing,” said Mr. Qiu. “The Panbio™ HIV Self Test is the first step in helping people determine their status and connect to care if necessary to get the best course of medicines and support.”

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