Protesters had called for a temporary ban to be lifted (Image: Getty)
Puberty blockers used to treat children with dysphoria will be banned indefinitely in the UK outside clinical trials, the Government has announced.
The Cass Review published earlier this year found there was “remarkably weak” evidence to support the use of the controversial hormone .
A temporary ban on private prescriptions has now been extended indefinitely after experts concluded there was an unacceptable safety risk.
Dr Hilary Cass, author of the independent review of gender identity services for children and young people, said: “Puberty blockers are powerful drugs with unproven benefits and significant risks, and that is why I recommended that they should only be prescribed following a multi-disciplinary assessment and within a research protocol.
“I support the government’s decision to continue restrictions on the dispensing of puberty blockers for gender dysphoria outside the NHS where these essential safeguards are not being provided.”
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Commissioned by England, the Cass Review looked at gender identity services for under-18s after a sharp rise in referrals for young patients questioning their gender.
Whistleblowers had raised concerns about the Gender Identity and Development Service (Gids) – the only specialist clinic for children and young people in England and Wales. It has since been closed.
The review raised concerns about a lack of long-term evidence around the use of drugs to halt puberty.
Dr Cass said at the time: “It is unusual for us to give a potentially life-changing treatment to young people and not know what happens to them in adulthood, and that’s been a particular problem that we haven’t had the follow-up into adulthood to know what the results of this are.”
A review by the Commission on Human Medicines has now advised that use of the drugs outside of research studies should be extended indefinitely, with a first review planned for 2027.
Health Secretary said: “Children’s healthcare must always be evidence-led. The independent expert Commission on Human Medicines found that the current prescribing and care pathway for gender dysphoria and incongruence presents an unacceptable safety risk for children and young people.
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“Dr Cass’ review also raised safety concerns around the lack of evidence for these medical treatments. We are setting up a clinical trial into the use of puberty blockers next year, to establish a clear evidence base for the use of this medicine.”
NHS medical director for specialised services James Palmer said reviews had shown clearly there was “not enough evidence to support the safety or clinical effectiveness of puberty suppressing hormones for the treatment of gender dysphoria or incongruence, which is why the NHS decided that they would no longer be routinely offered to children and young people”.
He added: “We welcome the government’s decision to further ban access through private prescribers, which closes a loophole that posed a risk to the safety of children and young people.
“But this will be a difficult time for young people and their families who are affected, so we are extending an offer of targeted support to anyone affected by the banning order from their local mental health services.”