Newfoundland pharmacies offering free STI testing, amid ongoing doctor shortage – CBC

Tests are being offered at participating pharmacies for one year

Dec 02, 2022

Aside from headache medication, flu shots or a bag of chips, Newfoundlanders can now head to certain pharmacies across the island to receive a free and confidential sexually transmitted infection (STI) test.

HIV, hepatitis C and syphilis testing is being offered in some pharmacies across Newfoundland as of Thursday. The tests are part of a research study to increase education about STIs and to encourage people to get tested. They also come amid an ongoing doctor shortage and healthcare crisis in the province.

“Many of our pharmacies are also overwhelmed with work and demand,” said Debbie Kelly, a professor with Memorial University’s school of pharmacy and the principal investigator of the study.

“I really commend the pharmacists that are participating in this study cause they understand what a huge commitment this is and they’ve made sure that they have the resources to be able to participate.”

Read more: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/free-std-testing-newfoundland-doctor-shortage-1.6671383

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