The FDA has approved for sale the first home test kit for HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. The kit (called Confide) is marketed by a division of Johnson & Johnson and will sell for $40 - $50. To conduct an AIDS test, the user obtains a blood sample at home and mails it to a laboratory. Results are obtained one week later over the phone by using a confidential identification number. If the result is positive, a counselor will handle the call.
Boehringer Mannheim Corp. has sued Johnson & Johnson, makers of the LifeScan glucose meter, accusing Johnson & Johnson of infiltrating company meetings, illegally obtaining company documents, and stealing a secret prototype glucose meter. According to the suit, Johnson & Johnson executives encouraged their employees to impersonate Boehringer employees by wearing company badges to attend private meetings. Boehringer Mannheim alleges that these actions illegally benefited Johnson & Johnson's Lifescan meter and is suing for damages. Johnson & Johnson says that both companies engaged in "improper activities", which the company regrets.
Confide sells Aids test kits by
phone. Call 1-800-The Test.
Home Access Health advertises HIV
Test Kits on Television.