NHS Pharmacy Contraception Service: Supply of Oral Contraception

Many community pharmacies now give you the option of being able to have a confidential consultation with a community pharmacist to request a supply of the oral contraceptive pill, rather than going to your GP or sexual health clinic. You do not need a prescription.

A pharmacist may be able to supply the contraceptive pill if you need to:

  • start using the contraceptive pill for the first time
  • start the contraceptive pill again after a break from taking it
  • get an ongoing supply of the contraceptive pill that you are already taking.

To access this service, you can self-refer to a participating pharmacy, or be signposted to one by your GP practice or iCaSH clinic. You do not need to be registered with a GP.  To be eligible, you must be under 50 years of age if you are requesting the Combined Oral Contraceptive (COC) and under 55 years of age if you are requesting the progestogen Only Pill (POP).

The pharmacist will conduct a confidential consultation with you and, as part of that, will reach a shared decision with you regarding issuing you with a supply of oral contraception, ensuring it is clinically appropriate for you.  They will also offer to discuss alternative contraceptive methods and share information about how to change to a new method should you wish to.  

This is an NHS service and so the supply of oral contraception from the community pharmacy will be free-of-charge.

If the pharmacist gives you the contraceptive pill they will only share this information with your GP if you give permission for them to do so.

To find a pharmacy that offers the contraceptive pill without a prescription near you, please click here.