Health Canada warns about unlicensed HIV, STD home testing kits

TORONTO -- Health Canada is warning consumers about an Internet-based company that is trying to sell home testing kits for HIV and a number of other sexually transmitted infections.

The department says Canadians should be advised that there are no HIV test kits licensed for home use in this country.

It says CuraHerbDistributor is trying to sell kits that reportedly test for HIV and other STDS such as syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, hepatitis B and C, and herpes simplex.

The kits are marketed under the brand name "Home Aware," but they are not authorized for sale in Canada.

Health Canada says the products haven't been evaluated for safety and effectiveness and could provide people who use them with false results.

The department says it is working with the Canadian Border Services Agency to prevent importation of all CuraHerbDistributor test kits.