Two Vancouver pharmacies will soon offer on-the-spot HIV tests as part of a year-long pilot project which is the first of its kind in Canada.

Specially trained pharmacists at two Medicine Shoppe pharmacies — located at 2030 Kingsway Avenue and 6180 Fraser Street — will offer a test that takes only five minutes, the health authority said Tuesday.

Each pharmacy is located next to a Pacific Medical Walk-in Clinic where doctors can provide support to patients and link them to care and treatment.

The pilot, run by Vancouver Coastal Health and Providence Health Care, will determine whether HIV testing in pharmacies can complement existing programs.

"B.C. is recognized as a global leader in the fight against HIV/AIDS and I believe that through bold action and smart investment we can remain leaders," said Health Minister Terry Lake in a statement.

"This pilot is another step forward and will go a long way to improve early diagnosis and save lives."

Dr. Réka Gustafson, a medical health officer at Vancouver Coastal, said offering HIV tests at pharmacies reduces the stigma so that it's more acceptable to people to get tested.

The pilot is funded through the provincial government's Seek and Treat for the Optimal Prevention of HIV/AIDS program, which has an annual funding of $19.9 million. The HIV tests offered as part of the pilot will be free of charge.

ticrawford@vancouversun.com

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