Pharmacy Contraception Service (PCS)

Community pharmacy is well established in the provision of locally commissioned contraception and sexual health services.

NHS Pharmacy Contraception Service (PCS)

Community pharmacy is well established in the provision of locally commissioned contraception and sexual health services.

NHS community pharmacies are an accessible and convenient place for people to receive advice and support for contraception management. A tiered national pharmacy contraception service has been designed to include:

Ongoing monitoring and supply of oral contraception prescriptions
Initiation of oral contraception
Supplies of oral contraception are made by a pharmacist via a Patient Group Direction (PGD).

The aim of the Pharmacy Contraception Service (PCS) is to offer people greater choice and access when considering starting or continuing their current form of oral contraception. From Spring 2023, pharmacies have had the option to register for the NHS Pharmacy Contraception advanced service for the ongoing supply of oral contraception. All community pharmacists offering the service will have demonstrated competence in the specific skills and knowledge required.

From 1 December 2023 the service expanded to give people the option of being able to have a confidential consultation with a community pharmacist to request a prescription of the contraceptive pill for the first time directly from their pharmacist, rather than from their GP or sexual health clinic.

The service is an integrated pathway between existing services and community pharmacies to enable greater choice and to widen access to services and support for high-risk communities and vulnerable patients.

A person may self-refer or be referred by their general practice, sexual health clinic or equivalent, to a participating pharmacy. A pharmacy may also identify a person is suitable for the service and highlight it to appropriate individuals. The pharmacist will offer a confidential consultation and as part of that, will reach a shared decision with the person on the ongoing supply of their current oral contraception, ensuring clinical appropriateness.

To find a pharmacy delivering this service please search: Find a pharmacy that offers the contraceptive pill without a prescription – NHS (www.nhs.uk)

View the service specification and patient group directions.

Pharmacy Contraception Service Pathway

Ongoing supply of Oral Contraception