Puberty blockers ban extended to Northern Ireland

By Jonathan McCambridge, PA

The North's Health Minister Mike Nesbitt said Executive agreement had been reached on the progression of legislation to include Northern Ireland in a UK ban on puberty blockers for children with gender dysphoria.

Mr Nesbitt said young people in Northern Ireland will have “equitable access” to NHS trials to determine the safety and effectiveness of puberty blocker drugs.

Britain's Department of Health and Social Care said on Wednesday the Commission on Human Medicines had published independent expert advice that there is “currently an unacceptable safety risk in the continued prescription of puberty blockers to children”.

The UK department said the commission had recommended indefinite restrictions while work is carried out to ensure the safety of children and young people.

While health is a devolved matter, the ban applies across the UK.

In a statement to MLAs, Mr Nesbitt confirmed the step had been taken following agreement with the devolved powersharing Executive.

He said: “I am writing to inform members that Executive agreement has been reached on the progression of legislative proposals for Northern Ireland in respect of the making of an indefinite UK-wide order to prevent new patients aged under 18 from beginning to take puberty blockers for the purposes of gender incongruence and/or gender dysphoria, under the care of private prescribers.

“A temporary UK-wide ban on the sale and supply of puberty-suppressing hormones – known as ‘puberty blockers’ – expires on December 31.

“This ban applies to the sale or supply of these drugs, prescribed by private UK-registered prescribers for gender incongruence or dysphoria, to under-18s not already taking them.

“It also prevents the sale and supply of these medicines from prescribers registered in the European Economic Area or Switzerland for any purposes to those under 18.

“Following recommendations from the Commission on Human Medicines (CHM), it is now intended that we will replace the UK’s existing temporary restrictions with an indefinite ban, subject to review in 2027.”

Mr Nesbitt said NHS clinical trials will be undertaken to determine the safety and effectiveness of the drugs.

He added: “Children and young people in Northern Ireland will have equitable access to these clinical trials.

“The analysis of the findings from these clinical trials will inform the long-term policy position and inform future decisions.

“I am committed to improving wider gender identity service provision for children, young people and adults in Northern Ireland.

“This will require investment in gender identity services through a business case which is currently being considered.

“Despite the very challenging financial position facing my department, I have advised officials that I will prioritise the development of this service to ensure the appropriate advice and support is available to individuals and their families.”