Group items tagged

The UK government has extended the restrictions on prescribing and supplying of gonadotrophin releasing hormone (GnRH) analogues, commonly referred to as puberty blockers, for those under 18 until the end of the year. These regulations, initially set to expire on 26 November, prohibit any new under-18 patients from beginning puberty suppression treatment for gender dysphoria outside designated specialist NHS services. The government passed the Medicines (Gonadotrophin-Releasing Hormone Analogues) (Emergency Prohibition) (Extension) (No. 2) Order 2024 on 6 November, citing health safety concerns to prevent potential serious risks. Children and young people under 18 already using these medicines may continue treatment through a UK-registered prescriber, though prescriptions generally require an 'SLS' endorsement by the prescriber. Prescriptions issued after 3 June 2024 by an EEA or Swiss prescriber remain invalid for these purposes.

The General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) has alerted pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, and pharmacy owners via email regarding new emergency legislation governing the prescribing and supply of puberty-suppressing hormones, commonly known as 'puberty blockers', for children and young people under 18 in England, Wales, and Scotland. The regulations apply to gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) analogues, used to suppress puberty as part of treating gender incongruence or gender dysphoria in individuals under 18. Effective from 3 June 2024, new private prescriptions for GnRH analogues from prescribers in the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland who are not UK registered are banned from being dispensed in Great Britain for patients under 18. The emergency ban on these medicines will remain in effect until September 3, 2024, the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) announced on 29 May, stating that the action has been taken to address risks to "patient safety."