UK halts puberty blockers for minors, focuses on research trials

[LAUREN TAYLOR]

PUBERTY BLOCKERS WILL NO LONGER BE PRESCRIBED TO CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF 18 IN ENGLAND — OUTSIDE OF REGULATED CLINICAL TRIALS, THE COUNTRY’S NATIONAL HEALTH SERVICE ANNOUNCED TUESDAY. 

PUBERTY BLOCKERS ARE USED TO DELAY THE EFFECTS OF PUBERTY.

THE AGENCY SAYS THESE BLOCKERS WILL NOW ONLY BE AVAILABLE AS PART OF RESEARCH TRIALS. THE DECISION FOLLOWS A REVIEW CITING INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE FOR THEIR SAFETY AND EFFECTIVENESS.

THE NHS CALLED FOR AN INDEPENDENT REVIEW OF GENDER IDENTITY TREATMENTS FOR MINORS IN 2020 AMID A “SIGNIFICANT INCREASE” IN REFERRALS TO THE GENDER IDENTITY DEVELOPMENT SERVICE , WHICH IS SCHEDULED TO CLOSE AT THE END OF MARCH.

HEALTH MINISTER MARIA CAULFIELD WELCOMED THE DECISION, EMPHASIZING CHILDREN’S SAFETY.

MEANWHILE, AN ONGOING CONSULTATION ON GENDER SERVICES HAS GARNERED OVER 4,000 RESPONSES, REFLECTING A DIVIDED PUBLIC OPINION.

IT’S THE LATEST DEVELOPMENT IN THE CONTROVERSIAL TREATMENT THAT HAS SPARKED PROTESTS IN THE U.S., AS WELL, OVER GENDER-AFFIRMING CARE IN CHILDREN.

 NHS ENGLAND PLANS TO START A STUDY ON PUBERTY BLOCKERS’ USE BY DECEMBER 2024.

FEWER THAN 100 YOUNG PEOPLE IN ENGLAND CURRENTLY RECEIVE THESE BLOCKERS THROUGH THE NHS, AND THEIR TREATMENT WILL CONTINUE, REPORTS THE BBC.