Allentown Morning Call Examines ‘Intense Opposition’ To OraSure’s Plan for OTC Rapid HIV Test
The Allentown Morning Call on Sunday examined the "intense opposition" from the laboratory industry and AIDS counseling organizations to making Bethlehem, Pa.-based OraSure's OraQuick rapid HIV test available over the counter. OraSure CEO Mike Gausling has said that he would like OraQuick to be "as easy to buy as aspirin, cough medicine -- and home pregnancy tests," the Morning Call reports. However, "[l]abs and counselors -- both powerful groups whose prominent roles in the war against AIDS would likely be diminished by a change in the status quo -- have a history of fighting home HIV testing, including OraQuick," according to the Morning Call. "So zealous and persuasive are its adversaries in their behind-the-scenes campaign that OraQuick is unlikely to reach store shelves anytime soon," the Morning Call reports (Kennedy, Allentown Morning Call, 4/25). The complete article is available online.
This is part of the Morning Briefing, a summary of health policy coverage from major news organizations. Sign up for an email subscription.