A 14-year-old person under specialist care for gender dysphoria has a private prescription for GnRH analogues dated 21 June 2025. Which action is most appropriate to take?

• A. Supply the medicines as requested
• B. Refuse to supply the medicines because pharmacies cannot dispense private prescriptions, dated on or after 3 June 2024, for GnRH analogues
• C. Request a copy of the diagnosis from the specialist
• D. Advise the patient to wait until a NHS prescription is issued

Answer: (B)

The key point is the regulatory change around private prescribing of puberty-blocking therapy. Since 3 June 2024, community pharmacies are not permitted to dispense GnRH analogues on private prescriptions for treating gender dysphoria in under-18s. A private prescription dated 21 June 2025 falls after that cutoff, so it cannot be dispensed. The appropriate action is to refuse to supply and explain that these medicines must be provided through NHS channels under specialist supervision. If possible, you should assist the workflow toward NHS prescribing—e.g., coordinate with the specialist clinic or arrange for NHS supply—rather than dispensing the private prescription. This safeguards patient safety and aligns with current dispensing rules; dispensing as requested or delaying action without transitioning to NHS pathways would not be appropriate.