MISTR’s at-home HIV testing kits available in 7 Walmart locations
MISTR, the largest telemedicine provider offering free online STI testing, has announced a pilot program in partnership with seven Walmart locations in Georgia in which customers are able to access MISTR’s at-home HIV testing kits at zero cost. Initial store locations include Atlanta, Stockbridge, Morrow, Decatur and Ellenwood.
MISTR pointed out that Georgia is the number one state in the country for new HIV transmissions. The CDC has called HIV in Atlanta an epidemic as one in 51 people in Atlanta may be living with HIV/AIDS at any given time, which is on par with some of the highest rates of HIV infections in the world. Some zip codes in the Atlanta area have rates of HIV/AIDS that are six-to-eight times higher than the national average. Recognizing the crisis in this region, MISTR aims to be a solution and resource through this pilot program.
Customers living in these areas can walk into one of the seven Walmart locations and pick up a kit from the pharmacy, free of charge. They simply take the kit home, follow the instructions, and receive their results from MISTR, and connection to care if needed. Here are the seven locations in Georgia that will offer the kits while supplies last:
- Walmart Supercenter: 5600 N Henry Blvd., Stockbridge, Ga. 30281
● Walmart Supercenter: 6065 Jonesboro Rd., Morrow, Ga. 30260
● Walmart Supercenter: 2525 N Decatur Road, Decatur, Ga. 30033
● Walmart Supercenter: 2427 Gresham Rd SE, Atlanta, Ga. 30316
● Walmart Supercenter: 3580 Memorial Dr., Decatur, Ga. 30032
● Walmart Supercenter: 1400 Hudson Bridge Rd., Stockbridge, Ga. 30281
● Walmart Supercenter: 2940 Anvil Block Rd., Ellenwood, Ga. 30294
[Read more: Walmart expands free HIV screenings to 18 pharmacies in Virginia, Colorado]
“There is an undeniable HIV crisis in Georgia with very few resources available,” said Tristan Schukraft, CEO and founder of MISTR. “This program not only marks MISTR’s first retail partnership, but also addresses the community's need for care options and increased sexual health education. I am proud that MISTR continues to democratize access to PrEP, DoxyPEP, and long term-HIV care and show up for these underserved individuals.”
This program comes on the heels of MISTR’s DoxyPEP launch in April of this year. The brand’s expansion into post-exposure care furthered its plans to solve the issue of access and adherence to PrEP and HIV care, and came at a time when the rate of STIs were on the rise. In 2022, more than 2.5 million cases of syphilis, gonorrhea and chlamydia were reported in the United States; of that population, gay and bisexual men are disproportionately affected.
MISTR currently serves more than 350,000 patients. The company shared that it has plans to extend their product portfolio in 2024.
[Read more: Pharmacy Innovator of the Year 2021: Walmart connects with communities]
Following this pilot program with Walmart, MISTR has plans to double down its retail footprint by opening physical storefronts across the United States.