What Is the NHS Pharmacy Contraception Service?

Reviewed by Usama Ali, MPharm (GPhC: 2224726). Last reviewed: October 2026.

You may have seen that you can now get the pill from a pharmacy without seeing a GP. That is the NHS Pharmacy Contraception Service, and it is how we supply the pill at Contraception Direct.

This guide explains what the service covers, who can use it, what happens at the consultation and how to find a pharmacy that provides it.

What is the NHS Pharmacy Contraception Service?

The NHS Pharmacy Contraception Service is an NHS England service that lets pharmacies supply the contraceptive pill free, without a prescription. Pharmacists and pharmacy technicians can start you on the pill, give you ongoing supplies and, since 29 October 2025, provide the morning-after pill. Its aim is to give people more choice about where they get contraception.

The pharmacy supplies the pill under a Patient Group Direction (PGD), a legal framework that lets a trained pharmacist or pharmacy technician supply certain medicines to people who meet set criteria. That is why no prescription is needed.

Most pharmacies take part. By March 2026, 9,958 of England's 10,398 community and distance selling pharmacies (95.8%) had signed up, and since February 2024 pharmacies have carried out more than 1.2 million consultations for people continuing the pill and 192,000 for people starting it (NHS England, July 2026).

When did the service start?

The service started on 24 April 2023 with ongoing supplies of the pill for people already taking it. Starting the pill for the first time was added on 1 December 2023, and the morning-after pill on 29 October 2025, when pharmacy technicians were also allowed to provide the service (Community Pharmacy England).

Who can use the NHS Pharmacy Contraception Service?

Anyone who wants oral contraception can use the service, from their first period up to age 49 for the combined pill and 54 for most mini pills (49 for Slynd). You do not need to be registered with a GP, and the service is free, including for visitors from outside the UK (NHS England PGDs, 2025; Community Pharmacy England FAQs).

People under 16 can use it if the pharmacist or pharmacy technician assesses them as able to make the decision under the Fraser guidelines; for anyone under 13 they speak to the local safeguarding lead. Some pharmacies, including Contraception Direct, only supply people aged 16 and over. Read more in how old do you have to be to go on the pill?

The service is for contraception only. If you want the pill to help with acne or heavy periods, your GP can advise.

What happens at the consultation?

At the consultation, a pharmacist or pharmacy technician asks about your health, your medicines, whether you smoke and your family history, to check the pill is safe for you. For the combined pill they also need your blood pressure, height and weight. If the pill is suitable, you get it there and then, or by post from an online pharmacy.

1. They ask for your consent to the consultation and, with your permission, may check your GP record.
2. They go through your medical history against national safety criteria (UKMEC).
3. They talk you through other methods too, including long-acting ones such as the implant and the coil.
4. They give advice on safer sex: the pill does not protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs), but condoms do.
5. If the pill is not suitable, they explain why and refer you to your GP or a sexual health clinic.

Consultations can be face to face, by phone or by video call. A questionnaire on its own, without speaking to anyone, is not allowed (Community Pharmacy England, 2025). For the combined pill, you can give your own blood pressure, height and weight readings if the consultation is remote.

How much pill do you get?

Under the national rules, a first supply when you start the pill is up to 3 months. After that, ongoing supplies are for 6 to 12 months at a time; the minimum is 6 months unless there is a clinical reason to give less (NHS England service specification v3.0).

If you take the combined pill, your blood pressure is checked before you start, again after the first 3 months and then each time you get more.

Which pills does the service cover?

The service covers any combined pill or progestogen-only pill (mini pill) listed in the British National Formulary, so most pills you will have heard of, such as Microgynon, Rigevidon, Yasmin, Cerelle, Cerazette and Slynd. Pharmacies are asked to supply good value products in line with local formularies, and co-cyprindiol (Dianette) is not included.

Not sure which is which? Compare the combined pill and the mini pill or read which contraceptive pill is right for me?

Can you get the morning-after pill through the service?

Yes. Since 29 October 2025, pharmacies in England that provide the service can give you the morning-after pill free. Levonorgestrel works up to 3 days (72 hours) after unprotected sex and ulipristal acetate up to 5 days (120 hours) after, and both work better the sooner you take them (NHS).

Because time matters, go to a pharmacy near you rather than waiting for a delivery. The copper coil (IUD) is more effective than the morning-after pill and can be fitted up to 5 days after unprotected sex at a sexual health clinic. Pharmacies cannot give you a morning-after pill in advance through this service. See the morning-after pill vs the regular pill.

How do you find a pharmacy that offers the service?

Almost every pharmacy in England takes part, and you can check on the NHS website, which lists pharmacies that offer the contraceptive pill without a prescription. You can walk in or phone ahead, or use an online pharmacy that provides the service remotely, such as Contraception Direct.

Will the pharmacy tell your GP?

Only if you agree. With your permission, the pharmacy sends your GP practice a note of the supply on the day or the next working day. If you say no, or you are not registered with a GP, you can still use the service (NHS England service specification v3.0).

Is the service available in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland?

The NHS Pharmacy Contraception Service is run by NHS England, and people who live elsewhere can use it while they are in England. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have their own pharmacy services, which offer the morning-after pill and a 3-month supply of the mini pill (bridging contraception), usually from age 13 (NHS inform).

The pill itself is free on the NHS everywhere in the UK. Read is the contraceptive pill free?

What is changing next?

Pharmacists are due to be able to prescribe some other methods within the service, including the contraceptive patch, the vaginal ring and the injection, from autumn 2026. As of October 2026 a start date has not been announced (Community Pharmacy England).

Until then, a GP or sexual health clinic can help with methods other than the pill. To start or continue the pill, see how to get the pill in the UK.

This information is for general guidance only and does not replace advice from a clinician, pharmacist, or doctor. A clinician will review your consultation before any medication is supplied.