The Government has today introduced
regulations to restrict the prescribing and supply
of puberty-suppressing hormones, known as ‘puberty blockers', to
children and young people under 18 in England, Wales and
Scotland.
The emergency ban will last from 3 June to 3 September. It will
apply to prescriptions written by UK private prescribers and
prescribers registered in the European Economic Area (EEA) or
Switzerland.
During this period no new patients under 18 will be prescribed
these medicines for the purposes of puberty suppression in those
experiencing gender dysphoria/incongruence under the care of
these prescribers.
The NHS stopped the routine prescription of puberty blocker
treatments to under-18s following the Dr Cass Review into gender
identity services.
In addition, the government has also introduced indefinite
restrictions to the prescribing of these medicines within NHS
primary care in England, in line with NHS guidelines.
The new arrangements apply to gonadotropin-releasing hormone
analogues - medicines that consist of, or contain, buserelin,
gonadorelin, goserelin, leuprorelin acetate, nafarelin, or
triptorelin.
This action has been taken to address risks to patient safety.
Patients already established on these medicines by a UK
prescriber for these purposes can continue to access them. They
will also remain available for patients receiving the drugs for
other uses, from a UK-registered prescriber.
Patients seeking more information should speak to their
clinician.
