First ever RCT of puberty blockers for gender dysphoria halted amid safety concerns
The PATHWAYS trial was one of the recommendations of the landmark Cass Review, which found 'remarkably weak' evidence to back using the drugs.
The UK watchdog has halted the first ever randomised controlled trial evaluating the effects of puberty blockers for children with gender incongruence, citing concerns about participant wellbeing.
Known as the PATHWAYS trial, it was announced after the Cass Review found “remarkably weak” evidence supporting use of the drugs.
The review’s findings prompted the NHS to ban the routine prescription of puberty blockers for under-18s in March 2024, a directive that has now been extended indefinitely.
But although it is still in its preliminary stages, last week, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) called for the trial to be revamped.
