16/06/2026
Need emergency contraception, a supply of the pill or your annual pill check?
If you’re ever in need of emergency contraception (the morning after pill) or are already taking oral contraception (the pill) or are looking for your first supply of the pill, you can now arrange a confidential consultation at a local participating pharmacy.
You can walk into a participating pharmacy to find out more or you may be signposted by our staff, who may also refer you to the service, if they believe it is appropriate for you to be seen at the pharmacy.
The NHS Pharmacy Contraception Service is a free service, and where appropriate includes any supply of emergency contraception and / or the pill.
You do not need to be registered with a GP to use this service.
You can use the service if you need to:
Get advice on or get a supply of an emergency contraception pill;
Start the pill for the first time;
Take the pill again after a break from using it; or
Access an ongoing supply of your pill.
What to expect?
You’ll speak with a pharmacist or pharmacy technician in a private consultation room. They’ll ask about your health and may check your height, weight and blood pressure.
If you need emergency contraception, they will help you consider your options based on your circumstances and help you select an appropriate option.
If starting the pill for the first time, they will help you consider what may best suit your needs and help you select an appropriate option.
The pharmacist or pharmacy technician will explain how to take the pill and discuss possible side effects. They can refer you to your GP or sexual health clinic if needed.
If the pharmacist or pharmacy technician gives you emergency contraception or the pill, they will let your GP know to update your GP records, but only if you give permission for them to do so.
The service can provide access to the:
• Emergency contraception;
• Combined pill (up to and including 49 years of age); and
• Progestogen-only pill (up to and including 54 years of age, except Drospirenone which is up to and including 49 years).
To find a pharmacy delivering this service please search ‘Find a pharmacy’ or click on the link: https://www.nhs.uk/service-search/pharmacy/find-a-pharmacy-offering-contraceptive-pill-without-prescription. Talk to your pharmacy team for more information.
