The UK Government has made the emergency ban on the sale and supply of puberty blockers to minors under the age of 18 permanent, following safety concerns highlighted in an independent review.
The ban, which came into effect in March 2024, means that new patients will no longer be prescribed puberty blockers, although those already receiving them will be able to continue their treatment. The legislation is being reviewed, with plans to reassess it in 2027.
This decision follows the findings of the Cass Review into Gender Identity Services, which raised significant concerns about the safety and efficacy of puberty blockers for children and young people.
The review concluded that there is insufficient evidence to support their use, prompting the Commission on Human Medicines (CHM) to recommend a ban until further research can be conducted.
Health and Social Care Secretary, Wes Streeting, emphasized the need for “caution and care” when addressing the healthcare needs of children and young people with gender dysphoria.
Streeting stated, “Children’s healthcare must always be evidence-led,” adding that the current prescribing pathway for gender dysphoria presents an unacceptable safety risk.
His office intends to collaborate with NHS England to ensure that young people receive the holistic health support they need, including clinical trials aimed at establishing a clear evidence base for the use of puberty blockers.
Dr. Hilary Cass, who led the independent review into gender identity services for children, reiterated the need for caution.
She warned that puberty blockers are powerful drugs with unproven benefits and significant risks.
“Essential safeguards” are missing, and Dr. Cass recommended that puberty blockers only be prescribed following a thorough multi-disciplinary assessment and as part of a controlled research protocol.
Despite the extended ban on puberty blockers, the UK Government is not abandoning efforts to support those with gender dysphoria.
In line with the Cass Review’s recommendations, the government is establishing up to eight regional mental health centres to provide enhanced support for young people under 18.
Three of these centres are already operational, offering vital mental health and well-being services as an alternative to medical treatments.
