Women soon able to get contraceptive pill from pharmacies
From next month, women in England will be able to get their first prescription of the contraceptive pill at their local pharmacy.
This is one element of the NHS and government’s primary care access recovery plan which aims to expand the responsibilities of pharmacies to ease pressures on GPs.
How will it work?
- Women will be able to access the pill through their pharmacy, without the need for a GP appointment or prescription.
- If women opt for the combined oestrogen and progestogen pill, they will have a check-up with a pharmacist to record their blood pressure and weight. No checks are needed for the mini pill (progestogen only). Women who are at higher risks of blood clots on the combined pill (for instance, women with high blood pressure) may be referred to their GP for further checks.
- Pharmacies need to sign up to offer the new service so it will not be immediately available everywhere. The NHS will updated their website to show which pharmacies are offering the service.
