New Zealand has announced a ban on new prescriptions of puberty-blocking medication for young people with gender dysphoria, aligning the country with similar policy shifts in the UK, Sweden, Finland, and Norway.
The drugs—gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogues—will remain available to those who need to take them for conditions with established clinical evidence, including early-onset puberty, endometriosis, or prostate cancer.
New Zealander Health Minister Simeon Brown said the change, which takes effect on Dec. 19, is a precautionary measure while long-term evidence is reviewed internationally.
“These changes are about ensuring treatments are safe and carefully managed, while maintaining access to care for those who need it,” Brown said….
New Zealand Bans New Puberty Blocker Prescriptions for Kids With Gender Dysphoria
