NHS Pharmacy Contraception Service
What is the service for?
You can now arrange a consultation with a pharmacist or pharmacy technician to get advice or support with your contraceptive needs.
- Do you need emergency contraception (the morning after pill)?
- Are you considering your contraceptive choices?
- Do you need the next supply of your contraceptive pill?
What does the consultation involve?
You will speak to a pharmacist or pharmacy technician in a private consultation room, with some pharmacies also offering appointments online (either by telephone or video).
They will ask you the same questions as the healthcare professional at your general practice or sexual health clinic would ask.
Another trained member of the pharmacy team might also carry out some checks, such as measuring your blood pressure, weight and height.
The pharmacist or pharmacy technician will discuss any concerns you have. For example, you can tell them if you have side effects from your contraception. If you have side effects, they will be able to help identify ways of managing these and, if needed, refer you to your GP surgery or sexual health clinic for further support.
Will my information be passed on to my GP surgery?
The consultation is confidential, so the pharmacist or pharmacy technician will not talk to your GP surgery or share your information without your consent.
If you agree, the pharmacist or pharmacy technician will send a record of the consultation and the details of any contraception supplied to your GP surgery.
If the pharmacist or pharmacy technician identifies any health problems, for example, raised blood pressure, they will talk to you about sharing this information with your GP surgery.
I need emergency contraception (the morning after pill). Can I get it from my pharmacy?
Yes. A pharmacist or pharmacy technician can help you consider the best emergency contraception option for you and where appropriate, can provide a free emergency contraception pill.
I want to understand what my choices of contraception are. Can this pharmacy service help me with that?
Yes. This free NHS service may be more convenient than booking an appointment with your GP surgery or at a sexual health clinic or a family planning / contraception clinic.
You can choose a time that suits you, and the service is free and confidential.
The pharmacist or pharmacy technician can give the same expert advice about selecting and managing your contraceptive pills as your GP surgery. You can talk to them one-to-one in a private consultation room.
Would I be able to start or switch to a new contraception method?
Yes. The pharmacist or pharmacy technician can talk through your options and where suitable, is able to start you on a contraceptive pill or issue you a different contraceptive pill.
Where necessary, the pharmacist or pharmacy technician can refer you to your GP surgery or sexual health clinic for other options.
I already use contraceptive pills and have it prescribed. Why should I use this service?
This pharmacy service may be more convenient and accessible than booking an appointment with your GP surgery or at a sexual health clinic for your annual pill check or to get a new prescription. You can choose a time that suits you, and the service is free and confidential.
The NHS has put this pharmacy service in place as a way to reduce demand on GP surgeries.
Who can use this service?
You can use the service if:
- You need advice or a supply of an emergency contraceptive.
- You are considering your choice of contraception and would like advice on your options.
- You would like to start taking or restart contraceptive pills.
- You are already taking a contraceptive pill that has been prescribed for you by your pharmacy, GP surgery or a sexual health clinic and you need your next supply of contraception.
How do I get this service?
You can be referred by your GP surgery or sexual health clinic or simply walk in and speak to the pharmacy team about the service.
You may be asked to book an appointment or it may be possible to just turn up and have a consultation with the pharmacist or pharmacy technician.
Your choice of pharmacy
You have the right to choose to use any pharmacy that provides the service.
Many pharmacies offer the NHS Pharmacy Contraception Service. Use the NHS website tool for finding a pharmacy that provides the NHS Pharmacy Contraception Service.
Your choice of a pharmacy should not be influenced or limited by websites or apps, emails or letters you receive in the post, or by any doctor, pharmacist or other healthcare professional.
If you have a concern about using your right to choose a pharmacy, you can contact your local NHS management organisation (which is called the integrated care board) for help with this.