Thousands will now be able to access contraceptive pills over the counter – but is it safe?

A woman getting contraception at a pharmacy

Credit: Getty

Strong Women


Thousands will now be able to access contraceptive pills over the counter – but is it safe?

By Lauren Geall

2 years ago

4 min read

Here’s what you need to know about the new changes to contraceptive prescriptions in England.


Almost half a million women across England will be able to access oral contraception without visiting their GP next year thanks to a new scheme being introduced by the NHS that will allow pharmacies to prescribe the pill free of charge.

The scheme, which is being rolled out from December, will give pharmacists greater power to prescribe medications and treat common conditions including sinusitis, sore throats and earaches.

It is hoped that making contraception easier to access will save women time, free up GP appointments and take away some of the barriers involved in seeking the medication, such as busy schedules and inconvenient opening hours. 

However, some experts have expressed concerns that the consultation procedure involved in the new prescriptions may not be thorough enough to ensure women are receiving the correct contraception for them.

Here’s everything you need to know about the new process – including what to expect if you want to get the pill over the counter and what training pharmacists will receive to take on these new prescriptions.  


How will the new over-the-counter service work? 

Contraceptive pills

Credit: Getty

For a couple of years now, women have been able to access progestogen-only tablets over the counter after they were reclassified by the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).

Those attempting to access the pill still needed a consultation with a pharmacist, but the MHRA ruled that the tablets were safe for most women to take and therefore did not need a medical prescription.

The changes set to be introduced over the next month are a little different. Those seeking the combined contraceptive pill will still need a prescription, but that prescription can now be handed out by a pharmacist as well as a GP.

You will not need a referral from your GP to walk into a pharmacy, but you will need a consultation before your prescription is given, which will involve a BMI and blood pressure check. You can choose to self-report these measurements (if you have a blood pressure machine at home, for example), but the pharmacist will note that they did not carry the tests out. It’s expected that the consultations will take a maximum of 15 minutes but could be as short as five or six. 

These consultations will cover those seeking out the pill for the first time, as well as those who are looking to secure an ongoing supply of their current contraception. The contraception will be free of charge.

Not all pharmacies will be taking part in the scheme, but once the new programme has started the NHS website will have a regularly updated list of the locations where you can access over the counter contraception, so you can check if your local pharmacy can provide the service.

According to government reports, the training for pharmacists who want to get involved in the scheme is “extensive” and covers everything from general consultation skills and the legal framework for prescribing both the combined and mini pill, as well as information around sexually transmitted infections and other issues that may come up during consultations. 

Are there any concerns about the new scheme? 

Contraceptive pills

Credit: Getty

Some experts have expressed concerns that the consultations carried out by pharmacists may not be thorough enough to deal with the myriad of reasons why women seek out the pill.

Ashfaq Khan, a consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist at Harley Street Gynaecology, said pharmacists would need access to the medical backgrounds of their patients to ensure they are prescribed the right brand of pill and the “multifaceted risks” that are often present are dealt with properly.

“These risks would include pre-existing cardiovascular problems, a history of breast cancer, heavy smokers or those suffering with migraines with auras,” he said. “Contraceptives are also prescribed as a mode of treatment for a variety of gynaecological conditions, so we need to know how pharmacists are going to triage patients in these conditions.” 

Some pharmacies have also expressed concerns about the viability of the scheme at a time when many pharmacies are closing their doors due to underfunding and rising inflation.

However, experts within the NHS have said allowing pharmacists to take on this role is a safe and effective way to reduce GP waiting times and ensure patients can access the care they need.

“Local pharmacies are trusted parts of our communities and GPs and pharmacists work closely together,” said Dr Claire Fuller, NHS medical director for primary care and the NHS’s lead GP in England. “Pharmacists have always provided continuity and long-term support to patients, families and carers. So, this is a safe and common-sense way of making NHS services easier for patients to use.” 

You can find the full details on GOV.UK. You can also speak to your GP about your contraception options and find out more information about contraception in general on the NHS website


Images: Getty

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