Texas AG investigating pharmaceuticals over puberty blockers for children

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) this week announced that his office will investigate two pharmaceutical companies accused of promoting hormone-blocking drugs for children with gender dysphoria despite the drugs not having received FDA approval for that use.

Paxton announced Monday that he is investigating Endo Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and AbbVie Inc. over whether the two companies violated Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act. They are accused of promoting the drugs for “unapproved uses without disclosing the potential risks associated with these drugs to children and their parents,” according to the press release.

“The manufacture, sale, prescription, and use of puberty blockers on young teens and minors is dangerous and reckless,” Paxton said. “These drugs were approved for very different purposes and can have detrimental and even irreversible side effects. I will not allow pharmaceutical companies to take advantage of Texas children.” 

The medications, Supprelin LA, also known as Vantas, and Lupron Depot, are approved to treat children with Central Precocious Puberty (CPP), which is when puberty begins prematurely, the release notes. Both have also been prescribed for the palliative treatment of prostate cancer.

Endo Pharmaceuticals denied promoting the use of the drugs to treat gender dysmorphia.

“Endo Pharmaceuticals Inc. manufactures and markets Supprelin® LA for the treatment of children with central precocious puberty (CPP),” a spokeswoman Heather Zoumas Lubeski told The Hill. “Vantas®, indicated for the palliative treatment of advanced prostate cancer, was discontinued due to manufacturing issues and has not been a promoted product for more than five years.”

“The company has not promoted either of these medications outside of their indications and does not promote medications for off-label uses,” she added. “That being said, we intend to fully cooperate with this inquiry/investigation.” 

The Hill has reached out to AbbVie Inc. for comment.

Updated at 10:59 a.m.