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DEERFIELD, Ill. & SAN FRANCISCO, June 11, 2024 – Walgreens and Greater Than HIV, a public information initiative of KFF, are teaming up with health departments and community organizations to offer free rapid HIV testing in more than 550 Walgreens stores on June 27 in the largest coordinated National HIV Testing Day event.
Additionally, to address the rising rates of other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), free rapid syphilis and/or hepatitis C testing will also be offered by partners this year in many locations.
“This unique public-private partnership brings free rapid HIV and STD testing directly to communities in a familiar setting and connects individuals to trusted local prevention and treatment service providers in their area,” said Tina Hoff, senior vice president, KFF.
A list of participating Walgreens stores and hours when free HIV and STD testing will be offered is available here; no appointment needed. Testing is provided by local partners, in a private area of the store or mobile unit, with results available in 20 minutes or less. Counselors can also answer questions about HIV and STDs and provide the latest on prevention and treatment options, including referrals for PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis), FDA-approved medications that are highly effective in preventing HIV, and other needed care.
“This program is instrumental in reaching people in community settings, making HIV prevention and treatment options more equitable, accessible and convenient,” said Rick Gates, chief pharmacy officer, Walgreens. “In addition to providing services to help prevent and treat HIV for more than 40 years, Walgreens invests in training its pharmacy team members to address the specific challenges faced by people living with HIV – including confidential medication counseling, information on prevention options and how to apply for financial assistance programs.”
Major HIV rapid test manufacturers including Abbott Laboratories, BioLytical Laboratories, ChemBio Diagnostics, and OraSure Technologies donated tests to support this year’s effort. Additionally, ChemBio Diagnostics and Diagnostics Direct donated rapid syphilis tests.
Since 2011, KFF’s Greater Than HIV and Walgreens National HIV Community Partnership has provided more than 82,000 free HIV tests through the in-store NHTD program, including over 15,000 self-tests distributed during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. This is the 14th year of the partnership and marks the highest level of participation – both in terms of testing partners and stores – in the program’s history.
About Walgreens
Walgreens (www.walgreens.com) is included in the U.S. Retail Pharmacy and U.S. Healthcare segments of Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. (Nasdaq: WBA), an integrated healthcare, pharmacy and retail leader. True to its purpose of “more joyful lives through better health,” Walgreens has a more than 120-year heritage of caring for communities and providing trusted pharmacy services, and today is playing a greater role as an independent partner of choice offering healthcare services that improve care, lower costs, and help patients. Operating nearly 9,000 retail locations across the U.S. and Puerto Rico, Walgreens is proud to serve nearly 9 million customers and patients daily. The company’s pharmacists are playing a more critical role in healthcare than ever before, providing a wide range of pharmacy and healthcare services, including those that drive equitable access to care for some of the nation’s most underserved populations. Walgreens offers customers and patients a true omnichannel experience, with fully integrated physical and digital platforms designed to deliver high-quality products and healthcare services. Within the U.S. Healthcare segment, Walgreens portfolio also includes businesses in primary care, multi-specialty, post-acute care, urgent care, specialty pharmacy services, population health and provider enablement.
About KFF
KFF is the independent source for health policy research, polling, and journalism. Its mission is to serve as a nonpartisan source of information for policymakers, the media, the health policy community, and the public.
KFF’s Greater Than HIV initiative is a leading public information response focused on HIV in the U.S. Through localized Greater Than HIV campaigns, KFF works with health departments and community partners to reach those most affected and in need with the latest on testing, prevention and treatment. This public-private partnership model helps extend the reach of limited resources in high need areas.
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