Britain Limits Use of Puberty-Blocking Drugs to Research Only
The New York Times The News
Britains National Health Service announced on Friday that it would limit the use of puberty-suppressing drugs to children enrolled in clinical trials. The change comes as the agencys pediatric gender services have struggled to keep up with soaring demand.
A document explaining the N.H.S.s reasoning stated that there is not enough evidence to support their safety or clinical effectiveness as a routinely available treatment.
The N.H.S. had released a draft of this policy change in October, but Fridays announcement formally instituted the new approach after months of public comment. The policy will go into effect later this year.
Why It Matters: Other countries have limited the drugs, too
The change is part of a broader push in several countries to limit gender-related medical treatments for young people.
After conducting evidence reviews, Finland has begun limiting who can access gender-related treatments and Sweden has restricted the use of puberty blockers and hormones to clinical trials. A Norwegian health body and the French National Academy of Medicine have also urged caution.
