HIV
PEP
French Medical Authority Recommends HIV Testing of Rape Suspects Without Consent

France's Academy of Medicine, the country's "most prestigious" medical authority, on Monday urged health and justice officials to amend existing law to allow suspects in rape cases to be involuntarily tested for HIV, Agence France-Presse reports. Roger Henrion, who wrote the appeal, said that although many rape victims receive post-exposure prophylaxis treatment, many do not complete the month-long drug therapy due to possible side effects. He added that having knowledge of a suspect's HIV status would encourage rape victims to complete the therapy regimen. Agence France-Presse reports that from 1999 to 2001, doctors prescribed about 4,000 courses of post-exposure prophylaxis treatment, 20% of which were for rape cases (Agence France-Presse, 11/4).

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