NEW! HbA1C self-test
at The Village Pharmacy.

CONVENIENT | PRIVATE | CONFIDENTIAL

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The HbA1C Monitoring Kit shows your average blood glucose concentration for the past 3 months, with just a simple fingerprick. Knowing your HbA1C can help you be more proactive about your diet, lifestyle and treatment support.

You can buy the HbA1C self-test in person, at The Village Pharmacy in Toronto:

473 Church St | 535 Yonge St | 2518 Yonge St

All Switch Health self-tests are lab-validated and test kits are authorized by Health Canada.

About the HbA1c Collection Kit, by Switch Health

What is the HbA1C self-test?

Empower yourself when it comes to managing your diabetes, with the Hemoglobin A1c Monitoring Kit. It’s a simple and effective way to track your long-term blood sugar control.

Monitoring your HbA1c levels at home can help you be more proactive about your diet, lifestyle and treatment options, so you can maintain stable blood glucose levels and prevent complications.

Who can use the HbA1C self-test?

For people who have diabetes, knowing your HbA1C can help you assess your risk for complications. The A1C test can also be used by people who are proactive about their health and want to understand their risk for diabetes or metabolic syndrome.

You can use the Hemoglobin A1c Monitoring Kit if:

you've been diagnosed with diabetes and need to monitor your blood sugar control regularly
you want to gain insights into your long-term diabetes management
you want to make proactive decisions about your diet, lifestyle, and risk for diabetes based on your HbA1C levels

How do I buy the HbA1C self-test at The Village Pharmacy?

Visit us, in person, to buy the test. The Village Pharmacy has 3 convenient locations in Toronto:
Our pharmacist will ask you a few questions to make sure the test is right for you
Once you’ve purchased your test, you’re ready to get started at home.
Follow-up for test results is provided by Switch Health

How does the HbA1C self-test work?

When you’re ready to do the HbA1C test, login to the Switch Health portal
You’ll get step-by-step instructions on how to collect a blood sample using the fingerprick method
Package your sample in the prepaid courier bag. You can schedule a free pickup, or drop it off at a Purolator location near you
Your sample is delivered to an ISO 15189 Plus™ accredited Ontario community laboratory
You’ll get a text and email within 10 business days, to let you know when your test results are ready!

How much does the HbA1c self-test cost?

If you have an Ontario Health Card, the cost is $69.00 + HST.
The test must be deemed medically necessary when you consult with the pharmacist.
If you don’t have an Ontario Health Card, or if the test is not deemed medically necessary, the cost is $99.00 + HST.
Test costs cover courier shipping, the digital platform and secure storage of the results.

For more information about the HbA1C self-test, visit the Switch Health website.

FAQs

An official requisition is issued for the HbA1C Collection Kit when you start your test.
If you have a high HbA1C, Switch Health provides the option of a follow-up consultation with an affiliated physician that is a part of their network. They will provide you with treatment options and a prescription, if needed. All physicians affiliated with the Switch Health partnership network are licensed to practice in Ontario.
You can also choose to share your test results with your family physician, and follow-up with them directly.
Yes. Patient privacy is of the utmost importance to Switch Health.
Accessible, fast and private test results are available through the Switch Health PHIPA compliant portal, ASMO. All patient information and test results are strictly confidential.
In the case of a positive test result, Public Health will be notified for contact tracing and reporting purposes.
Get in touch with the Switch Health support team, available Monday-Sunday, 10AM-6PM EST.
You can reach them by phone at 1-888-966-6531 or email them at contact@switchhealth.ca
The Village Pharmacy does not offer refunds on Test and Collection Kits.
Please contact the Switch Health customer experience team in the event of a device malfunction or delayed/missing shipments at 1-888-966-6531.
Visit Switch Health online
Switch Health is an industry leader in decentralized diagnostic solutions for public and private sector partners, including at the federal and provincial level in Canada. Over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, organizations and individuals have relied upon Switch Health to provide 21st century health technology services and logistics that are reliable and trusted to help communities across Canada return to normal again.
Drawing on these experiences, Switch Health is applying its approach of patient first, end-to-end digital testing-solutions in areas such as sexual health and other infectious diseases. Switch Health is offering this digital specimen collection and testing in over 200 languages from the comfort of peoples' homes with the guidance of trusted healthcare professionals and the delivery of results through Canada's top laboratories, including Bio-Test Laboratory which was recently acquired by Switch Health in early 2022.
The Village Pharmacy has partnered with Switch Health to bring at-home testing to our clients and communities in Toronto.