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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Science
Nadeem Badshah

UK clinical trial into puberty blockers on hold after medicines regulator steps in

A generic needle and vial with a young person in the background
The youngest participants in the Pathways clinical trial had been expected to be 10 to 11 for biological females and 11 to 12 for biological males. Illustration: Victoria Hart/Guardian Design

A clinical trial into puberty blockers for children has been paused after the medicines regulator warned it should have a minimum age limit of 14 because of the “unquantified risk” of “long-term biological harms”.

Discussions between the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and the trial sponsor, King’s College London, will begin next week to discuss the wellbeing concerns, the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) said on Friday evening.

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