We have written to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Victoria Atkins MP, on the increasing urgency for the government to act to limit the ability of private clinics to prescribe puberty blockers to young people.
We are concerned that the number of unregulated and unqualified private providers currently prescribing these powerful drugs is unknown to the Department of Health and that they are exploiting a loophole left after the NHS announced they would no longer be prescribing puberty blockers. We previously wrote to the Secretary of State urging her to “close the loophole” back in March.
The Cass Review showed that the majority of young people presenting at GIDS, and now potentially seeking private prescriptions for puberty blockers, are same-sex attracted. It is our belief that the government must now consult the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) and move pause fulfilment of prescriptions from UK and international private clinics for these drugs until they can demonstrate they are complying with NHS guidance.
Read our letter here:
You can download a copy here: Letter FAO Secretary of State for Health and Social Care