Riverdale pharmacy first in Maryland to offer free HIV testing

Published on: Tuesday, September 11, 2012

By Amber Larkins

East Pines Pharmacy in Riverdale became the first pharmacy in Maryland to offer free HIV testing in July.

We offer it on Saturdays in conjunction with the (Prince Georges County) Health Department, said Sid Stewart, marketing consultant for East Pines Pharmacy.

Maryland has the fourth highest rate of HIV and AIDS in the country, and Prince Georges County has the second highest rate of HIV and AIDS in the state, according to statistics from the Prince Georges County Department of Health.

A Health Department official is at East Pines Pharmacy for about four hours each Saturday and usually tests seven people.

However, this week, pharmacist Omatayo Awotunde, and his wife, Vivian Awotunde, a registered nurse, are receiving HIV level one training. This training will enable them to administer the tests without the aid of Health Department workers.

By mid-September, the HIV testing service will be offered whenever the pharmacy is open, Stewart said.

The test is an oral sure rapid.

We swab both the lower and upper gum, sideways and upside down, Awotunde said.

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Riverdale pharmacy first in Maryland to offer free HIV testing