(ZENIT News / London, 20.12.2024).- Wes Streeting, the UK’s Minister of Health announced on December 11, that he will extend indefinitely the ban on puberty blockers for minors under 18. The only exception are clinical trials.
Thus puberty blockers are banned indefinitely in the United Kingdom for those under 18 with gender dysphoria, except for clinical trials. Gender identity clinics are impeded from prescribing puberty blocking drugs, British Social Security confirmed on December 12.
Puberty blockers halt physical changes during puberty, such as the development of breasts or facial hair, the testosterone, progesterone and estrogen hormones.
In May of this year, Rishi Sunak’s Government passed emergency legislation to prohibit temporarily puberty blockers for minors. Health Minister Wes Streeting extended the supply and sale of the drugs stating that he would “always put the safety of children first,” adding that he would “continue to be informed by Dr. Cass’ review, who found there was no sufficient evidence to demonstrate that puberty blockers were safe for minors under 18.
The UK Health Department quoted the advice of experts of the Human Medications Commission, which stated that “at present there is an unacceptable safety risk in the continuous prescription of puberty blockers to children.”
A comprehensive Report of pediatrician Dr Hilary Cass highlighted the significant risks of the medication and the lack of evidence of the alleged benefits of the blockers during puberty. LGBTI activists challenged the sentence because they were “concerned about the safety and wellbeing of trans youngsters in the United Kingdom.” The Kingdom’s Higher Court confirmed the ban in July of 2024.
Northern Ireland’s Parliament voted by unanimity the permanent ban of blockers to avoid its territory becoming a “back door” for the distribution of medications banned in the UK.
Scotland and Wales also suspended formally the prescription of blockers and hormonal medications for “gender transitions” in children, after carrying out consultations in their regions.
