UK Indefinitely Bans Puberty Blockers for Under-18s After Expert Safety Warning

Dec 11, 2024, 03:27 PM

The UK government has announced an indefinite ban on the prescription of puberty blockers for minors under the age of 18 with gender dysphoria. The decision follows expert advice warning of an "unacceptable safety risk" associated with the use of these medications in children. The Department of Health and Social Care stated that emergency measures, first introduced in May 2024 after the Cass Review highlighted insufficient evidence of safety, will be made permanent. Puberty blockers will now only be available to under-18s through approved clinical trials, with the NHS poised to announce the protocol for these trials. Health Secretary Wes Streeting said that the government is working with NHS England to implement holistic support for patients and their families.