New Zealand Halts Puberty Blocker Prescriptions for Youth

The New Zealand government has announced a halt to new prescriptions of puberty blockers for young people diagnosed with gender dysphoria. Health Minister Simeon Brown stated that this decision is part of a “precautionary approach” pending the results of a significant clinical trial in the United Kingdom, expected to conclude in 2031. The new regulations are set to take effect on December 19.

In his statement released on Wednesday afternoon, Brown emphasized the need for families to have confidence that any treatment provided is “clinically sound and in the best interests of the young person.” While new prescriptions will be paused, existing users of puberty blockers will continue to have access to the medication. The drugs, specifically gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogues, remain available for medical conditions such as early-onset puberty, endometriosis, and prostate cancer.

Brown reassured the public that current youth gender services will remain operational. Information regarding these services will be centralized into a national online hub to facilitate access for families. He reiterated the government’s commitment to ensuring treatments are safe and carefully managed, while maintaining necessary care for those in need.

The announcement has sparked a range of responses from political leaders and advocates. Winston Peters, leader of the New Zealand First party, stated on social media platform X that his party had been the only one advocating for a pause on puberty blockers. He argued it was sensible to suspend the use of these unproven drugs until the outcomes of the UK clinical trials are assessed.

In contrast, Karen Chhour, the children’s spokesperson for the ACT party, heralded the announcement as a victory for scientific evidence and the safety of children. “I believe young people should be supported to love themselves, not change themselves with experimental medication,” she declared.

On the other hand, Ricardo Menéndez March, a Green Party MP, criticized the government’s decision as an extension of “imported culture wars,” particularly given its timing just before the Transgender Day of Remembrance. He highlighted that access to gender-affirming healthcare can be life-saving for many individuals.

The government’s action mirrors a growing trend seen in the UK following the Cass Review, a comprehensive investigation commissioned by the National Health Service (NHS). This review, led by pediatrician Dr. Hilary Cass, concluded that the evidence supporting gender-affirming treatments is “remarkably weak.” It recommended a formal clinical trial to evaluate the safety and efficacy of puberty blockers for young individuals, with the trial duration extending until 2031.

As a result of the review, the NHS ceased routine access to puberty blockers for new patients. Other countries, including Sweden, Finland, and Norway, have also tightened access and revised guidelines concerning these treatments.

Responses to the Cass Review have been polarized among clinicians and academics. While some have supported the call for higher evidence standards, others have criticized the review’s methodology and expressed concerns about the potential consequences of denying treatment to young people.

The Professional Association for Transgender Health Aotearoa (PATHA) responded critically to the Cass Review, deeming it irrelevant to New Zealand and highlighting that it overlooked the global medical consensus on gender-affirming care. Jennifer Shields, PATHA’s president, noted that the review did not include insights from trans or non-binary experts or clinicians experienced in providing gender-affirming care.

Youth health specialist Dame Sue Bagshaw also expressed her belief in the safety and reversibility of puberty blockers, cautioning against what she calls a “moral panic.” Conversely, public health expert and emeritus professor at Otago University, Charlotte Paul, suggested that New Zealand clinicians should consider the British approach carefully, noting concerns over the abandonment of normal standards of informed consent for minors.

Last year, New Zealand’s Health Ministry released a report indicating a “lack of high-quality evidence” regarding the benefits or risks associated with puberty blockers for treating gender dysphoria. As the debate continues, the government’s pause on new prescriptions is likely to fuel ongoing discussions about the treatment of young people experiencing gender dysphoria and the best practices for their care.