Pharmacies launch NHS emergency contraception service

Women will now be able to access emergency contraception on the NHS from pharmacies across England, it has been announced.

NHS England has confirmed that almost 10,000 pharmacies across England are to begin providing emergency contraception – also known as the morning-after pill – for free from today.

The move has been described as a ‘game changer’ in making reproductive healthcare more easily accessible for women and as a ‘natural step’ for pharmacies.

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And it builds on the existing Pharmacy Contraception Service (PCS) where pharmacists have been providing oral contraception and ongoing clinical checks since 2023.

Dr Sue Mann, NHS national clinical director in women’s health, said: ‘This is one of the biggest changes to sexual health services since the 1960s and a game changer in making reproductive healthcare more easily accessible for women.

‘Instead of trying to search for women’s services or explain their needs, from today women can just pop into their local pharmacy and get the oral emergency contraceptive pill free of charge without needing to make an appointment.’

She added: ‘Community pharmacists and their teams are trusted professionals who women will be able to speak to confidentially and address any concerns they may have.

‘With four in five people living within a 20-minute walk from a pharmacy this service is another example of how the NHS is already delivering on our 10 Year Health Plan commitment to shift care into the heart of communities.’

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Community Pharmacy England (CPE) chief executive Janet Morrison said the expansion was ‘a fantastic move for widening access and convenience for patients across the country’.

‘Allowing regular supply of oral contraception from pharmacies has been well received, so building on this to now include emergency contraception is a natural step,’ she added.

Ms Morrison noted that many pharmacies have been involved in similar schemes on a local level and so CPE was ‘pleased to see this important new service introduce a consistent offer to women nationally’.

Last week it was announced that dedicated questions and support related to the menopause are to be included within routine NHS health checks for women aged over 40 across England.

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The government said the move would benefit nearly five million women and marked a ‘landmark step forward’ in women’s healthcare.

A version of this article was first published by our sister title The Pharmacist