An article examining the implications of commercial testosterone prescribing for clinical practice and healthcare services has been published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ), co-authored by Professor Stephen Atkin, Head of School of Postgraduate Studies and Research at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) – Medical University of Bahrain, and Professor Eric S. Kilpatrick, Consultant in Chemical Pathology at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust and Honorary Professor of Clinical Biochemistry at Hull York Medical School, UK.

Titled “Implications of commercial testosterone prescribing for the NHS”, the article explores the growing availability of testosterone treatment through private healthcare providers in the United Kingdom, highlighting concerns about prescribing practices for individuals without a clearly established clinical need.

While recognising the benefits of testosterone replacement therapy for appropriately diagnosed patients, Professor Atkin and Professor Kilpatrick emphasise the importance of careful clinical assessment and evidence-based prescribing, particularly where the long-term benefits and risks of treatment remain uncertain.

The authors also draw attention to the limited availability of national data on private prescribing of testosterone, which makes it difficult to assess the full extent of its use and its potential implications for patient care and the National Health Service (NHS). 

To address these challenges, they advocate for greater transparency, improved reporting mechanisms and clearer accountability between private and public healthcare providers to support responsible prescribing and continuity of patient care.

Read the research article: Implications of commercial testosterone prescribing for the NHS – BMJ