A temporary ban on the sale or supply of puberty blockers has been extended to cover Northern Ireland.
Puberty blockers work by suppressing the release of hormones and are often prescribed to children questioning their gender.
In May, the Conservative government tightened rules on the drugs, introducing an emergency ban on them being prescribed by private and European prescribers.
This ban, which has been renewed, will come into effect in Northern Ireland from 27 August.
BBC News NI understands the matter was dealt with by way of urgent procedure, with the order signed off by the first and deputy first ministers without wider Executive approval.
The move to ban puberty blockers came after a report into children’s gender services – the Cass Review – said there were “gaps in evidence” around the drugs.
The review was led by leading paediatrician Dr Hilary Cass and prompted the last government to ban the use of puberty blockers for under-18s questioning their gender – a move which was then supported by Labour when they won the election.
Westminster has now extended that temporary legislation, which previously did not include Northern Ireland.
Transgender youth support charity Mermaids said it is “very disappointed” by the decision to extend the ban to Northern Ireland as it “sets a worrying precedent”.
Health Minister Mike Nesbitt said that he had “secured Executive approval to extend the temporary ban on puberty blockers”, pending agreeing “a long-term solution”.
“Northern Ireland will cease to be a potential back door to access,” Mr Nesbitt added on X, formerly Twitter.
It comes as the former boss of Mermaids and trans activist Susie Green said she planned to exploit a legal loophole in Northern Ireland to bring the drugs into Britain.
BBC News NI has asked The Executive Office for comment.
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