Pharmacists across England are to offer the morning after pill for free on the NHS from today without appointment – see below participating chemists near you
Free morning after pills are being offered from chemists without appointment in a move dubbed “one of the biggest changes to sexual health services since the 1960s”.
Until now oral contraceptives generally needed people to get an appointment with a GP or be seen at a sexual health clinic. NHS England is expanding what it offers via high street pharmacists and will also commission chemists to provide ongoing advice and support for people newly prescribed antidepressants by their GP.
Dr Sue Mann, National Clinical Director in Women’s Health, said: “This is one of the biggest changes to sexual health services since the 1960s and a game changer in making reproductive healthcare more easily accessible for women.
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“Instead of trying to search for women’s services or explain their needs, from today women can just pop into their local pharmacy and get the oral emergency contraceptive pill free of charge without needing to make an appointment. Community pharmacists and their teams are trusted professionals who women will be able to speak to confidentially and address any concerns they may have.”
Until now only a minority of UK pharmacists have been offering free morning after pills without appointment but today a major expansion will make this the case at 10,000 community chemists across England. Click HERE to find a pharmacy offering free morning after pills near you.
Health minister Stephen Kinnock said: “This is a major step forward that removes barriers of access to reproductive care that have let women down for too long. Pharmacies play a central role in communities being trusted by local people and easy to access. That’s why it’s vital there are a wide range of services and medications available.
“These changes will make it easier for people to get the advice and medications they need, while also reducing unnecessary pressure on GPs. This is exactly what our 10 Year Health Plan is about – shifting more care into the community so people can get vital support more quickly and easily.”
Labour delivered the first real funding increase for the pharmacy sector since 2014, investing £617 million over two years, linked to expansion of the Pharmacy First scheme.
It means people with seven common conditions can go straight to a pharmacist for the conditions sinusitis, sore throat, earache, infected insect bite, the bacterial skin infection impetigo, shingles, and uncomplicated urinary tract infections in women.
Today’s change expands this meaning anyone aged 18 collecting their new prescription for antidepressants will be able to get more information from their local pharmacist about how the medication is working and address any concerns they may have. They can also arrange a follow up telephone chat if they prefer.
Dr Mann added: “With four in five people living within a 20-minute walk from a pharmacy this service is another example of how the NHS is already delivering on our 10 Year Health Plan commitment to shift care into the heart of communities.”
The Mirror is campaigning to save family chemists and stop the closures which are piling pressure on overstretched GPs. The National Pharmacy Association said it means the network of pharmacies in 2025 is at its lowest in 20 years. One in 10 pharmacies have closed in the last decade.