MANILA (August 27) — The World Health Organization considers the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) to be a virus that targets the immune system. HIV impairs the immune system by attacking the body’s white blood cells, which increases the risk of contracting infections, TB, and certain types of cancer.
Because so many young Filipinos are infected with HIV, the Department of Health in the Philippines urged in June to declare a national public health emergency.
“HIV cases increased by 500% among Filipinos aged 15 to 25. In fact, the youngest we diagnosed was a 12-year-old child from Palawan,” said then-Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa in a Facebook video message.
HIV spreads through an infected person’s bodily fluids, which include blood, breast milk, sperm, and vaginal fluids. It does not spread through kissing, hugging, or sharing meals. It can also pass from mother to baby.
Meanwhile, acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) develops in the advanced stage of HIV infection. Antiretroviral therapy (ART), on the other hand, can both prevent and treat HIV. Untreated HIV can lead to AIDS after many years.
‘Stigma-free’ HIV self-test kits
KonsultaMD by Metro Pacific Health Tech., in collaboration with Faberco Life Sciences and Southstar Drug, has officially launched its latest product: HIV self-test kits. The FDA-approved launch of the Faberco Mylan HIV Self-Test kits demonstrates a shared commitment to making HIV testing more accessible, confidential, and stigma-free for more Filipinos.
The Mylan HIV Self-Test, created by Viatris, is the first integrated blood-based HIV self-test device in the world. It provides consumers with a quick, easy, and 15-minute at-home HIV screening test. It pledges to guarantee that Filipinos receive the assistance, counseling, and therapy they require to live long, healthy lives in addition to testing. It can accurately detect HIV-positive samples with a sensitivity of 99.6% and HIV-negative samples with a specificity of 99.6%.
“We believe that healthcare must meet people where they are, with empathy, dignity, and urgency, as HIV is a real and growing crisis. Being the first telehealth app in the Philippines to provide HIV health services, KonsultaMD is raising the bar for accessibility, compassion, and personalization in HIV prevention and support,” says Rina Tadiar, head of consumer at Metro Pacific Health Tech. She also stated, “This is about making it easier to get tested, easier to seek help, and easier to feel safe doing so.”
In an effort to democratize healthcare in the country, KonsultaMD offers comprehensive telehealth services, such as round-the-clock access to physicians with medical certifications, same-day pharmacy delivery, at-home diagnostics, and nursing care for geriatric and neonatal patients.
By 2025, an estimated 252,000 Filipinos will be living with HIV. Every day, an average of 57 new cases are detected, with a concerning one-third of these among young Filipinos aged 15 to 24.
“At Southstar Drug, we believe that healthcare should be accessible, easy, and stigma-free. That is why we have partnered with KonsultaMD to provide more individuals with access to HIV self-test kits in a discreet, convenient, and safe manner. When a customer gets a test kit through KonsultaMD, we ensure that it arrives quickly and confidentially,” stated Thaddeus Sanchez, Southstar Drug’s general manager.
“While we’ve made significant progress, gaps remain. The global 95-95-95 targets — aiming for 95% of people with HIV to know their status, 95% of those to be on treatment, and 95% of those to be virally suppressed —are a benchmark we must strive for. However, the Philippines falls short, particularly in diagnosis and treatment. This is precisely where our partnership can make a tangible difference,” Sanchez said.
“By partnering with KonsultaMD and Faberco, we can create a powerful, integrated solution that addresses the full spectrum of HIV care, from prevention to treatment. This partnership will leverage the unique strengths of both our organizations. Imagine this seamless process: a patient buys an HIV self-test kit from a Southstar Drug online channel. The results are available in minutes.
If they have questions or a reactive result, they can immediately connect with a healthcare professional through the KonsultaMD platform. This virtual consultation provides a safe, confidential space for the pre- and post-test counseling, which is a crucial and mandated part of the HIV testing process in the Philippines,” Sanchez added.
The kits can be purchased through the Pharmacy section and delivered directly and discreetly, empowering users to know their status from the comfort and privacy of home. The HIV self-test kit is for anyone who wants to better understand their health, whether for peace of mind, regular checkups, or personal care.
Lack of HIV education
“I think our partners from Southstar have really given us exact and accurate statistics about HIV, and I think our only conclusion is that HIV is a very big problem in the Philippines,” said Ching Santos, the chief operating officer of Faberco Life Sciences.
Santos shared the three pillars of their company:
- Vaccines – The company is into human vaccines and is a partner of the Department of Health (DOH) for several important vaccines for children;
- Tuberculosis (TB) – Another major priority of the DOH. The company, KonsultaMD and Southstar are launching a product for treatment and prophylaxis of TB. This includes medication that can be taken if a relative has TB, so the disease will not be infectious; and
- HIV – The company is involved in both treatment and prevention of HIV as a supplier of anti-retroviral drugs, many of which are procured by the DOH.
“We’ve asked ourselves: Why do HIV cases continue to increase? A major reason is lack of education. Many people do not truly understand the seriousness of the situation. Often, patients are only diagnosed when: They are hospitalized, or they begin showing symptoms. But why should we wait for it to get to that point?” Santos asked.
“This is the time for people to understand that if you are at risk, HIV is something you can get anywhere and anytime. The good news is, today, you can test yourself — at home, in a drugstore, or in a clinic. And with the telehealth online platform, doctors can help educate patients, building their confidence to get tested. What’s even better is that the testing kit is easily accessible,” said Santos.
“So, I believe this partnership completes a full circle, and I truly hope — and feel — that this collaboration will provide real, meaningful support to the DOH and the country, helping to significantly reduce HIV cases in the future,” Santos concluded.
To order, download and register on the KonsultaMD app. From the homepage, tap the Pharmacy tile and search for “HIV self-testing kit.” Choose the product, add it to cart, then proceed to checkout. Enter delivery address, pay, and confirm your order. To consult with a doctor or access other healthcare services, download the app from the App Store, Google Play, and Huawei AppGallery.
