In one of its final acts before the general election, the UK government has introduced guidelines to stop new private prescriptions of puberty blockers for minors, PinkNews reported.
The government’s move comes after the release of the Cass report and a similar decision by National Health Service (NHS) England to stop prescribing the medicine to trans youth at its gender-identity clinics.
The medicine prevents puberty from starting by blocking the hormones—like testosterone and estrogen—that lead to changes in the body, such as breast growth, vocal changes, periods and facial hair.
The emergency ban will take place June 3-Sept. 3 and will apply to prescriptions written by UK private doctors and those registered in the European Economic Area or Switzerland. The medicines in question consist of, or have, buserelin, gonadorelin, goserelin, leuprorelin acetate, nafarelin or triptorelin.
On May 30, the pro-TGNC organization GenderGP issued a statement saying it is “shocked at the attitude and behavior of the UK government in targeting trans youth. Gender reassignment is a protected characteristic under The Equality Act 2010 and it stands that every trans adult was once a trans child and we know that gender-affirming care has proven benefits.
“We know that the interference in medicine and healthcare by the government will lead to serious harm for millions of patients and even death including those within the trans community. We remain committed to working with the government and the community to find solutions to prevent harm wherever it exists.”