Francis Swaine, partner and head of the
human rights department at law firm
Leigh Day & Co, is acting for a gay couple who have been granted legal aid on public interest grounds. One of the men passed the
HIV virus to the other after a condom split. They argue that they were unaware of the benefits of
post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) and that there should be a national policy for the administration of the treatment for ordinary men and women.
Post-exposure prophylaxis
Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is a treament routinely offered to health workers in Britain who are exposed to
HIV and is also made available to rape victims. The treatment consists of a month-long course of
anti-retroviral drugs, which, if taken no later than 72 hours after exposure, significantly reduces the risk of infection. The Department of Health produced guidelines about the treatment in1997 for health professionals but since then some doctors have prescribed it for people infected during sexual contact.
National policy
Frances Swaine said " We are asking for guidelines for all members of the population, for publicity along the lines of the old Aids campaigns, and training for all GPs and accident and emergency departments." The cost of the treatment , about £1,000, is far less that the possible £1m it may cost to provide care for someone infected with HIV.
For further information about this case please contact
Frances Swaine on 020 7650 1200.
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