You will recall the urgently published new resource for pharmacists on Gender identity services for children and young people: making compassionate, professional and ethical decisions that was published by the Pharmaceutical Society NI on 5 June 2024.
However, since then the ban on the private prescribing and supply of gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogues (commonly known as puberty blockers) for the treatment of gender dysphoria/incongruence in patients under the age of 18 has been temporarily extended to Northern Ireland. The ban is effective from 27 August 2024 onwards and applies to prescriptions written by UK based private prescribers as well as those based in the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland.
Considering these changes in regulation, the Pharmaceutical Society has decided to remove its guidance on gender identity services (published 5 June 2024) for children and young people.
The Society is fully committed to ensuring that pharmacists have access to accurate information and understands the need for complete clarity on this important issue. We would therefore direct you to the Department of Health statement on this issue.
We would encourage you to familiarise yourself with the new rules and be confident that your practice is fully compliant. As and when further, relevant guidance becomes available from the Department of Health or NHS we will notify you in turn.
Please see the links below for more information.
Statement from Department of Health NI: Temporary ban on prescription and supply of puberty blockers extended to NI | Department of Health (health-ni.gov.uk)
New Regulation: The Medicines (Gonadotrophin-Releasing Hormone Analogues) (Emergency Prohibition) (Extension) Order 2024 (legislation.gov.uk)