NHS Pharmacy Contraception Service (PCS)

Oral contraception, commonly known as "the pill," has been a transformative and empowering method of family planning for women around the world. In the United Kingdom, oral contraception has played a significant role in shaping reproductive health choices and contributing to women's autonomy.

Its availability and accessibility make it a popular choice among individuals seeking effective and convenient birth control methods. As societal attitudes toward family planning continue to evolve, oral contraception remains a crucial tool in empowering women to make informed decisions about their reproductive health.

Oral contraception has been readily available in the UK through various channels, including general practitioners and family planning clinics. With the free NHS Oral Contraception Service, women can now get the supply of their contraceptive pill from participating Midway Pharmacies, thereby creating additional capacity in primary care and sexual health clinics to support meeting the demand for more complex assessments.

The NHS offers a range of contraceptive options, with oral contraceptives being one of the most popular choices. There are two main types of oral contraceptives: Combined Oral Contraceptives (COCs) and Progestogen-Only Pills (POP). COCs contain both estrogen and progestogen hormones, while POPs only contain progestogen.

The following inclusion criteria must apply for patients to be eligible for the service:

For the supply of a combined oral hormonal contraceptive (COC),

Patients will be eligible for this service if they meet the following criteria:

• From the first occurrence of menstruation up to and including 49 years of age with the capacity to consent to present for:

  • Initiation of first-time oral contraception

  • Initiation of oral contraception after a pill-free break

  • Initiation of a new (to the patient) oral contraceptive

  • Ongoing supply of their current oral contraception

• If the individual is under 16 years of age, supply can only be made if the individual is assessed as competent using Fraser Guidelines by our pharmacist.

• Able to confirm blood pressure and BMI before supply.

For the supply of a progestogen-only contraceptive pill (POP),

Patients will be eligible for this service if they meet the following criteria:

• From the first occurrence of menstruation up to and including 54 years of age with the capacity to consent to present for:

  • Initiation of first-time oral contraception

  • Initiation of oral contraception after a pill-free break

  • Initiation of a new (to the patient) oral contraceptive

  • Ongoing supply of their current oral contraception

• If the individual is under 16 years of age, supply can only be made if the individual is assessed as competent using Fraser Guidelines by our pharmacist.

For the supply of emergency hormonal contraception (EHC) - "morning after pill",

Patients will be eligible for this service if they meet the following criteria:

• An individual presenting for the "morning after pill" between 0 and 96 hours following unprotected sexual intercourse or when regular contraception has been compromised or used incorrectly.

• Has no contraindication to the medication.

• If the individual is under 16 years of age, supply can only be made if the individual is assessed as competent using Fraser Guidelines by our pharmacist.

This service is accessible, appropriate, and sensitive to the needs of all service users. You can assess the service by:

• Being identified as clinically suitable by one of our pharmacists and accepting the offer of the service

• Booking yourself in for a supply in one of our pharmacies

• Referral by their general practice

• Referral from a sexual health clinic (or equivalent)

• Referral from other NHS service providers, e.g., urgent treatment centres or NHS 111.

The appointment will last about 30 minutes. During the appointment, our pharmacist will:

• Carry out an initial consultation to determine the clinical appropriateness of a supply of oral contraception.

• Discuss alternative and more effective forms of contraception, e.g., Long-acting reversible contraception.

• Take your BMI and blood pressure (for COC). You may also provide your weight, height, and blood pressure measurements.

• Supply an oral contraceptive (if the assessment criteria are met). The initial supply will not exceed three months; ongoing supplies can be up to 12 months (subject to eligibility).

• Refer you to your general practice or sexual health clinic (or equivalent) if a supply of an oral contraceptive is not deemed clinically appropriate, and explain why this is the case.