The week before last, new UK Government regulations changed the rules on what kinds of prescriptions can be used to obtain puberty blockers prescribed for people aged under 18 at pharmacies. The rules apply in England, Scotland and Wales.

The new regulations mean that:

• Pharmacies cannot provide puberty blockers prescribed to people under 18 for prescriptions issued outside of the UK for any purpose
• Pharmacies cannot provide puberty blockers prescribed to people under 18 for treating gender dysphoria or gender incongruence for first time prescriptions issued by private UK providers after June 3^rd 2024

You will still be able to obtain puberty blockers at pharmacies prescribed for people under the age of 18 if:

• The puberty blockers are prescribed on the NHS, or
• The puberty blockers are prescribed by a private UK provider and you were previously prescribed puberty blockers in the six months before June 3^rd 2024 (and you will be able to continue to receive puberty blockers going forward)
• The puberty blockers are prescribed by a private UK provider for a purpose other than treating gender dysphoria or gender incongruence

We know that there will be some young people who are either directly affected by these changes, or who are worried about what they might mean for their care in the future. Please don’t struggle by yourself – if you want to talk to someone about how you’re feeling you can reach out to LGBT Youth Scotland’s live chat.

You can find more information about the changes on the NHS inform website: Restrictions on puberty suppressing hormones

TransActual, a trans-led advocacy charity in England, is planning to take a legal challenge against the change in the law. Find out more about that at their press release.