Bio-Rad Laboratories ‘driving HIV test sales’

Bio-Rad Laboratories has helped to raise the level of HIV testing taking place in Mexico, it has emerged.

HIV test producer Chembio made the claim on National HIV Testing Day on Thursday, June 28th.

According to the firm, Bio-Rad’s participation in a national screening programme has resulted in increased awareness of the condition in Mexico.

Lawrence Siebert, chief executive officer of Chembio, said that moves to implement routine screening "reflect the growing realisation that this epidemic cannot be slowed until people know their status".

He added that Chembio supports plans to double the level of funding made available to such programmes in order to increase testing in the future.

Bio-Rad Laboratories claims to produce new methods of testing for HIV at a rate of more than one a year.

The firm adds that the acquisition of Pasteur Sanofi Diagnostics in 1999 has allowed it to consolidate its position in testing for HIV and Aids.