Pharmacy contraception service

NHS community pharmacies are becoming an accessible and convenient place for people to receive advice and support for contraception management.

Pharmacies can now offer ongoing supply of oral medication

From Spring 2023, pharmacies have been signing up to offer the pharmacy contraception service. It gives people the option of attending their local pharmacy for repeat contraception after their initial consultation and prescription by their GP.

How can I access the service?

There are several ways to access the service. You can:

  • Be identified as clinically suitable by the community pharmacist and accept the offer of the service
  • self-refer to a community pharmacy
  • Be referred by your GP as they have requested a repeat prescription and a review is needed
  • Be referred from a sexual health clinic (or equivalent)
  • Be referred from other NHS service providers, eg urgent treatment centres or NHS 111.

People who wish to consult another healthcare provider for contraception support are still free to do so.

What happens next?

The pharmacist will offer you a confidential consultation. As part of this you will reach a shared decision on the ongoing supply of your current oral contraception.

Where can I access the services?

You can find a list of pharmacies offering this service here.

How people access the service

There are several ways to access the service. You can:

  • Be identified as clinically suitable by the community pharmacist and accept the offer of the service
  • Self-refer to a community pharmacy
  • Be referred by your GP as they have requested to commence on oral contraception
  • Be referred from a sexual health clinic (or equivalent)
  • Be referred from other NHS service providers, eg urgent treatment centres or NHS 111.

Case studies

Pilot for the initiation of oral contraception

Within the Midlands, pharmacies are also piloting a service to begin people on oral contraception.

As part of the consultation, pharmacists will offer to discuss alternative contraceptive methods and share information about how a person could change to a new method.

People who wish to consult another healthcare provider for contraception support still can. People being referred to this service will have already agreed to be referred to a community pharmacy.

You can find a list of pharmacies offering this pilot service here. (updated Oct 23)

Further information