UK Bans Puberty Blockers for Under-18s Indefinitely Due to Safety Concerns

Dec 11, 2024, 04:39 PM

The UK government has announced an indefinite ban on the prescription and sale of puberty blockers for under-18s with gender dysphoria outside clinical trials. The Department of Health and Social Care confirmed that the ban, initially an emergency measure introduced in May 2024, will become permanent following advice from medical experts who warned of an 'unacceptable safety risk'. Health Secretary Wes Streeting stated that the decision was based on the findings of the Cass Review, which highlighted insufficient evidence of the safety of puberty blockers. The ban includes private prescriptions and applies across the entire UK, including Northern Ireland. Legislation will be updated to reflect the indefinite ban, which will be reviewed in 2027. The NHS is working on implementing holistic support for patients and their families and intends to commence a clinical trial of puberty blockers in 2025 to further assess their safety and efficacy.