Morning-after pill access boosted by pharmacy scheme
New NHS service sees hundreds of thousands of doses distributed and increased interest in regular contraception.
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A new national NHS scheme offering the morning-after pill free from high street pharmacies has seen widespread uptake, with hundreds of thousands of doses distributed. Launched in October 2025, the service was designed to enhance accessibility and eliminate the need for appointments with GPs or sexual health clinics.
High Demand for Emergency Contraception
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Official NHS figures reveal that between October 2025 and March 2026, almost 305,000 doses of the morning-after pill were provided through participating pharmacies across England. This represents a substantial increase compared to the previous year, when approximately 150,000 NHS prescriptions for the medication were issued during the 2024/25 period.
Increased Interest in Regular Contraception
Beyond emergency contraception, the new pharmacy service appears to have stimulated greater interest in ongoing contraceptive methods. In the 12 months leading up to February 2026, the number of women consulting pharmacists about regular oral contraceptive pills more than doubled. Initial figures indicated around 50,000 inquiries, which rose to over 115,000.
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Improving Access and Reducing Barriers
The government stated that making the morning-after pill freely available through pharmacies addresses what it described as "unfair" barriers and a postcode lottery that previously affected access. Under the current service, individuals can undergo a confidential consultation with a pharmacist or trained technician at their local pharmacy and receive the medication on the same day. This bypasses the need to book appointments with healthcare professionals.
“This service is already making a real impact, particularly for women living in more deprived communities, by making contraception easier to access closer to home.”
Dr Sue Mann, NHS National Clinical Director for Women's Health
Dr Sue Mann, NHS National Clinical Director for Women's Health, described the pharmacy initiative as a "major step forward for women's health," highlighting its availability "with no appointment, no waiting and no judgement." She added that the service is proving particularly beneficial for women in more deprived areas, improving access to contraception within their communities.
Next Steps
Women can locate participating pharmacies via an online tool. All healthcare professionals providing the service have undergone specialist training in emergency and wider contraceptive care.
Barnet Press News Desk
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