Eric D'Ortenzio presented on perspectives and experiences with HIV self-testing in France. Key dates included ethical approval in 2012-2014 and availability of kits in pharmacies starting in September 2015. Opportunities include increased confidentiality, accessibility, and convenience of testing, while challenges include the kit price of 25-28 euros and ensuring those who test positive are linked to care. The goal is that HIV self-testing will increase testing among key populations and lead to more of the approximately 4,000 new HIV diagnoses in France each year.

1. Eric D’Ortenzio, MD, MPH
Scientific Director – Solthis INGO, Paris, France
Consultant Physician – Bichat - Claude Bernard University Hospital, Paris, France
(No conflicts of interest)
WHO 2015 SIDE MEETING ON HIV SELF-TESTING
18th
July 2015
Vancouver, Canada
Perspectives and experiences on
HIV self-testing in France

2. 5.2 millions HIV
tests / year
Source: French Institute for Public Health Surveillance
Epidemiology of HIV in 2013 in France
French pop. = 66 million inhabitants
Prevalence HIV = 0.23%

3.  2004: First ethical discussions
 November 2012: National HIV/AIDS Council approval
 February 2013: French Ethical Council approval
 April 2014: Press release of Marisol Touraine (Ministry of Health) on
availability of HIVST kits before end of 2014
 April 2015: French Health Authorities published information on the use of
HIVST kits + Press release of the manufacturer AAZ who obtains CE
approval
 June 2015: New press release of the manufacturer AAZ on the availability
of HIVST in pharmacies in september 2015
 15th
Sept. 2015: Availability of HIVST kits in pharmacies and their web site
Key Dates

4. Implementation
June-september 2015
• First authorized HIVST kits available in France
• Instruction for use available
• Online video with demonstration on the use available
• Training of 16 000 pharmacists ongoing
• Training of telephone hotline advisers ongoing
• Management of waste to be defined…

5. Opportunities
• Confidentiality
• Accessibility
• Convenience
• Free and anonymous telephone
hotline already available 24/7
(Sida info service)
• Should increase testing among
key populations (MSM++)
• ≈ 4000 new diagnosis / year
Challenges
• Price: 25-28 Euros (27-30 USD)
• Serologic window: 3 months
• Linkage to care
• Free availibility for associations
Conclusion

6. Opportunities
• Confidentiality
• Accessibility
• Convenience
• Free and anonymous telephone
hotline already available 24/7
(Sida info service)
• Should increase testing among
key populations (MSM++)
• ≈ 4000 new diagnosis / year
Challenges
• Price: 25-28 Euros (27-30 USD)
• Serologic window: 3 months
• Linkage to care
• Free availibility for associations
Conclusion