Paul Murphy
Ceist:491. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health if there are no plans to restrict the access to puberty blockers, including via EU prescriptions. [37563/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 24 September 2024
Ceisteanna (491)
Freagraí scríofa
A new clinical programme for gender healthcare is being initiated by the HSE. Over the next two years, the programme will develop an updated clinical model of care for gender healthcare services for the Irish population.
A small number of young people are referred for gender specialist assessment, support and diagnosis to the NHS children and young people’s gender service with the assistance of the HSE’s Treatment Abroad Scheme (TAS). This service is currently delivered in 2 hubs in the UK and not in Northern Ireland.
The prescribing of puberty blockers for young people is only one aspect of gender healthcare and is a clinical decision made by the treating endocrinologist, informed by a multispecialty team, and in consultation with the patient and their family. Clinical decisions are made on a case-by-case basis for each individual patient.
In Ireland, a very small number of young people who are patients of Children’s Health Ireland are currently receiving puberty blockers in the public health system. The prescribing of puberty blockers for children is a clinical decision made by the treating endocrinologist with the patient and their family.
This practice is not changing at this time, and I am advised that the HSE will keep evidence under review to inform this.
The dispensing of EU prescriptions by Irish pharmacists is provided for under EU law (EU Healthcare Directive) and the national Medicinal Products (Prescription and Control of Supply) Regulations 2003, as amended.
There are currently no plans to legislate to prohibit the dispensing of EU prescriptions in the Republic of Ireland.