health
February 20, 2026
UK clinical trial into puberty blockers paused after medicines regulator raises concerns
Study set to delay recruitment after warning participants should be a minimum of 14 years old

TL;DR
- The Pathways clinical trial on puberty blockers for children has been paused.
- The MHRA has warned of "unquantified risk" of "long-term biological harms" and recommended a minimum age of 14.
- Discussions are set to take place between the MHRA and the trial sponsor, King's College London.
- Recruitment for the trial will not begin until the wellbeing concerns are resolved.
- The trial was recommended following the Cass review, which found the evidence for puberty blockers' benefits to be "poor" and "weak".
- The DHSC stated the trial will only proceed if expert evidence concludes it is safe and necessary.
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