Thousands of women in the North East and Yorkshire region can now access oral contraception at their local pharmacy without needing to see their GP first.

Women can now visit their participating local pharmacy, without an appointment, and a pharmacist will be able to supply the contraceptive pill if suitable.

The rollout of this new service is part of the NHS’s primary care access recovery plan, which is committed to making it quicker and easier for millions of people to access healthcare on their high street.

Dr Jonathan Slade, Medical Director at NHS England and GP said:

“Quick and easy access to contraception is essential for many women and this new service is a big step forward in making these services more accessible for women.

“Patients will be able to speak to their pharmacist in a private consultation room and they will establish if the oral contraceptive pill is a suitable method of contraception for them.

“This new service means most women will not need to visit their GP to be prescribed the pill, although a pharmacist will also be able to advise if anyone does need see their GP.

“Visiting a local pharmacy is a convenient way of accessing services, and without

 the need for an appointment it allows people to be flexible and go at a time suitable for them.”

A pharmacist may be able to supply the contraceptive pill if someone needs to:

• start using the contraceptive pill for the first time,
• start the contraceptive pill again after a break from taking it,
• get a supply of the contraceptive pill if it’s already been prescribed to them.

This service builds on the successful expansion of the pharmacy contraception service in December 2023, with more than 650 pharmacies in the region now offering women the chance to get a supply of oral contraception from their pharmacy without needing to first see their GP. 

To find a participating pharmacy, visit: https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/pharmacies/find-a-pharmacy-offering-contraceptive-pill-without-prescription/