NHS Pharmacy Contraception Service

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This service specification covers the initiation of oral contraception (OC), routine monitoring and ongoing supply of OC and provision of oral emergency contraception via patient group directions (PGDs).

October 2025 update – expansion of the NHS Pharmacy Contraception Service

In anticipation of the expansion of the NHS Pharmacy Contraception Service to include emergency contraception, the updated service specification and PGDs have been published.

The current service documents will be available on the NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) website and will remain in place until the service commencement date for these enhancements is announced and authorised by NHS England.

Link

Community pharmacy advanced service specification: NHS Pharmacy Contraception Service

Community pharmacy advanced service specification: NHS Pharmacy Contraception Service

NHS England is not responsible for content on external websites.

Summary

Version 3.0, published 20 October 2025.

Accessible content.

Document

Community pharmacy advanced service specification: NHS Pharmacy Contraception Service

Community pharmacy advanced service specification: NHS Pharmacy Contraception Service

  • PDF
  • 405 KB
  • 20 pages

Summary

Version 3.0, published 20 October 2025.

PDF version.

Document

Patient group direction: Levonorgestrel

Patient group direction: Levonorgestrel

  • PDF
  • 347 KB
  • 19 pages

Summary

Supply of levonorgestrel 1.5mg tablet(s) for emergency contraception by community pharmacists and pharmacy technicians in England working in a pharmacy registered to provide the NHS Pharmacy Contraception Service.

Version 1.0, published 20 October 2025.

PDF format.

Document

Patient group direction: Ulipristal

Patient group direction: Ulipristal

  • PDF
  • 360 KB
  • 17 pages

Summary

Supply of ulipristal acetate 30mg tablet for emergency contraception by community pharmacists and pharmacy technicians in England working in a pharmacy registered to provide the NHS Pharmacy Contraception Service.

Version 1.0, published 20 October 2025.

PDF format.

Document

Patient group direction: Combined oral hormonal contraceptive (COC)

Patient group direction: Combined oral hormonal contraceptive (COC)

  • PDF
  • 568 KB
  • 26 pages

Summary

Supply of a combined oral hormonal contraceptive (COC) by community pharmacists and pharmacy technicians in England working in a pharmacy registered to provide the NHS Pharmacy Contraception Service.

Version 3.0, published 20 October 2025.

PDF format.

Document

Patient group direction: Progestogen-only contraceptive pill (POP)

Patient group direction: Progestogen-only contraceptive pill (POP)

  • PDF
  • 475 KB
  • 22 pages

Summary

Supply of a progestogen only contraceptive pill (POP) by community pharmacists and pharmacy technicians in England working in a pharmacy registered to provide the NHS Pharmacy Contraception Service.

Version 3.0, published 20 October 2025.

PDF format.

Document

Master patient group direction authorisation sheet

Master patient group direction authorisation sheet

  • Microsoft Word
  • 126 KB
  • 3 pages

Summary

Version 1.0, published 20 October 2025.

MS Word format.