VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwired - May 17, 2017) - VANC Pharmaceuticals Inc. (TSX
VENTURE:VANC)(OTCQB:NUVPD) ("VANC" or the "Company"), a pharmaceutical company focused on the
Canadian generic drug and over-the-counter (the "OTC") markets, announces today it has entered into a
Canada-wide distribution agreement for INSTI® HIV-1/HIV-2 Antibody Test (INSTI).
"We are very pleased to have acquired the Canadian distribution rights to INSTI," commented Bob Rai, CEO. "We are bringing to
the pharmacist's counter a rapid (less than one minute) point-of-care diagnostic for HIV allowing customers to rapidly access
their information and we will be working with provincial pharmacist associations to finalize pre and post-test counselling
guidelines," concluded Mr. Rai.
The INSTI® HIV-1/HIV-2 Antibody Test is a single use, rapid, flow-through in vitro qualitative immunoassay for the detection
of antibodies to Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 and Type 2 in human whole blood, finger stick blood, serum or plasma. The
assay is packaged as a kit containing the test device and three solution bottles with support materials for finger stick
collection (lancet, pipette and alcohol swab).
"According to the Public Health Agency of Canada, one in five people whom are HIV positive are unaware of their status.
Moreover with successful treatment available for HIV positive patients, diagnosis is the only barrier to both living a healthy
life and preventing further spread of the virus," commented David Hall, Chairman of VANC. "We are delighted to be bringing the
INSTI test to Canadians through the Canadian pharmacy industry. Ease of access to INSTI should lessen the number of undiagnosed
HIV-positive patients in Canada," concluded Mr. Hall.
"It is the stated goal of VANC to bring technology to the pharmacist's counter that directly benefit both the patient and the
pharmacist's business", stated Bob Rai, CEO. "We believe that pharmacists are an underutilized part of the Canadian medical
system and with a combination of technology, quality generic and over-the-counter medicines, VANC can help increase the
utilization of Canadian pharmacists in our health care system. Access to tests like INSTI and our previously announced Health Tab
acquisition are prime examples of our focus," concluded Mr. Rai.
"As a pharmacist and current healthcare executive, Bob Rai has been an advocate for testing walk in customers with the INSTI
HIV test and we are proud to support him and VANC in reaching populations that may not otherwise get tested. Pharmacist-led
testing has proven to be an effective way for people to learn their HIV status and we believe VANC is well-equipped to distribute
INSTI throughout Canada into this progressive segment of the market", stated Livleen Veslemes, bioLytical's Chief Operating
Officer.
On behalf of:
VANC Pharmaceuticals Inc.
Bob Rai,
Director and CEO
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-looking Statements: Information in this press release that involves VANC's expectations,
plans, intentions or strategies regarding the future are forward-looking statements that are not facts and involve a number of
risks and uncertainties. VANC generally uses words such as "outlook," "will," "could," "would," "might," "remains," "to be,"
"plans," "believes," "may," "expects," "intends," "anticipates," "estimate," "future," "plan," "positioned," "potential,"
"project," "remain," "scheduled," "set to," "subject to," "upcoming," and similar expressions to help identify forward-looking
statements. The forward-looking statements in this release are based upon information available to VANC as of the date of this
release, and VANC assumes no obligation to update any such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements believed to be
true when made may ultimately prove to be incorrect. These statements are not guarantees of the future performance of VANC and
are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, some of which are beyond its control and may cause actual results to
differ materially from current expectations.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-looking Statements: Information in this press release that involves VANC's expectations,
plans, intentions or strategies regarding the future are forward-looking statements that are not facts and involve a number of
risks and uncertainties. VANC generally uses words such as "outlook," "will," "could," "would," "might," "remains," "to be,"
"plans," "believes," "may," "expects," "intends," "anticipates," "estimate," "future," "plan," "positioned," "potential,"
"project," "remain," "scheduled," "set to," "subject to," "upcoming," and similar expressions to help identify forward-looking
statements. The forward-looking statements in this release are based upon information available to VANC as of the date of this
release, and VANC assumes no obligation to update any such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements believed to be
true when made may ultimately prove to be incorrect. These statements are not guarantees of the future performance of VANC and
are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, some of which are beyond its control and may cause actual results to
differ materially from current expectations.
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the
TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.