NHS Contraception Service
The service is free and confidential. Our pharmacist will ask some health questions and check your blood pressure where needed to make sure the pill is safe and suitable for you.
What is the NHS Pharmacy Contraception Service?
The NHS Pharmacy Contraception Service makes it easier to access oral contraception through your local community pharmacy.
Following a private consultation, a trained pharmacist or pharmacy technician will assess whether the treatment is suitable for you. Where clinically appropriate, they can provide contraception directly without requiring you to obtain a prescription from your GP.
The service covers both the combined contraceptive pill and the progestogen-only pill, commonly known as the mini pill.
Oral emergency contraception may also be available when there is a risk of pregnancy following unprotected sex or when regular contraception has not been used correctly.
Who can use the service?
The service may be suitable if you:
- Want to start the contraceptive pill
- Previously took the pill and would like to restart it
- Need another supply of your current contraceptive pill
- Need oral emergency contraception
- Have been referred by a GP or sexual health service
- Would prefer to access contraception directly from your local pharmacy
You do not need to be registered with a particular GP surgery to ask about the service.
Eligibility and the contraception that can be supplied will depend on your age, medical history, current medicines and individual circumstances.
Starting the contraceptive pill
You may be able to start the contraceptive pill through Procters Pharmacy without seeing a GP or sexual health clinician first.
During your consultation, we will discuss:
- Your general health and medical history
- Any medicines or treatments you currently use
- Whether you have previously used contraception
- Your preferences and contraception needs
- Possible benefits, risks and side effects
- How to take the pill correctly
Depending on the type of contraception being considered, we may also need to measure your blood pressure, height and weight.
Where oral contraception is clinically suitable, we can provide an initial supply and explain how to use it safely.
Continuing your current contraceptive pill
You can also use the service to receive your next supply of oral contraception if you are already taking the combined pill or progestogen-only pill.
You do not necessarily need a new prescription from your GP.
Your consultation will include a review of how you are getting on with your contraception, whether anything has changed since your last supply and whether it remains suitable for you.
Where appropriate, Procters Pharmacy can provide a further supply and arrange any necessary follow-up.
How it works
Visit or contact Procters Pharmacy
Ask the team at a Procters Pharmacy branch for the NHS Contraception Service. You will be able to attend as a walk-in. You can access the service yourself or may be referred by your GP, sexual health clinic or another healthcare professional.
Private consultation
You will have a confidential consultation with a trained pharmacist or pharmacy technician. We will ask some questions about your health, current contraception and any medicines you take. For some types of contraception, we may also check your blood pressure, height and weight. This allows us to decide whether the contraceptive pill or emergency contraception can be supplied safely.
Supply and advice
Where treatment is suitable, we will provide the contraception through the NHS service and explain how and when to take it, what to do if you miss a pill, possible side effects, when the contraception becomes effective, whether additional protection is needed, when to seek further medical advice, and when to return for another supply. We can also discuss other contraception methods and direct you to an appropriate local service if you would prefer an option that is not available through the pharmacy.
Accessing contraception
Accessing contraception should be straightforward. Through the NHS Pharmacy Contraception Service, eligible patients can receive advice and contraception directly from Procters Pharmacy without needing to arrange a GP appointment first.
Our trained pharmacy team can help you:
- Start the contraceptive pill for the first time
- Restart the pill after a break
- Continue your current contraceptive pill
- Receive an ongoing supply without a separate prescription
- Access oral emergency contraception where suitable
- Discuss concerns, side effects and alternative contraception options
The service is free, confidential and available at all Procters Pharmacy locations.
Emergency contraception
Oral emergency contraception can help prevent pregnancy following unprotected sex or when regular contraception may have failed.
This may include situations where:
- No contraception was used
- A condom split or came off
- Contraceptive pills were missed
- Vomiting or diarrhoea may have affected your pill
- Another medicine may have reduced the effectiveness of your contraception
Emergency contraception is more effective when accessed promptly.
A trained member of the Procters Pharmacy team will speak with you privately, assess which option may be suitable and explain what to do next.
Where oral emergency contraception is not suitable, or another method may be more appropriate, we will refer or signpost you to a GP, sexual health clinic or other appropriate service.
When might we refer you elsewhere?
The pharmacy service will not be suitable in every situation.
We may recommend that you speak to a GP, sexual health clinic or another healthcare professional if:
- The contraceptive pill is not clinically suitable for you
- Your medical history requires a more detailed assessment
- You have symptoms that need further investigation
- You would prefer an implant, injection, coil or another method
- You may require a copper intrauterine device for emergency contraception
- You need testing or treatment for a sexually transmitted infection
- You may be pregnant
- You have experienced sexual assault or require additional safeguarding support
We will explain the reason for any referral and help you find an appropriate service.
Why choose Procters Pharmacy?
- Free NHS contraception for eligible patients
- No separate GP prescription usually required
- Convenient access through your local pharmacy
- Private and confidential consultations
- Support with starting or continuing the pill
- Access to oral emergency contraception where suitable
- Clear advice about safe and effective use
- Referral to other contraception services when appropriate
Frequently asked questions
Can I get my repeat contraceptive pill from the pharmacy?
Yes. If you already use oral contraception, we may be able to review your treatment and provide your next supply without requiring a new GP prescription.
Can I start the pill at a pharmacy?
Yes. Procters Pharmacy may be able to help you start either the combined contraceptive pill or the progestogen-only pill where it is clinically suitable.
Can I get the morning-after pill?
Oral emergency contraception may be available through participating Procters Pharmacy branches following a confidential assessment. It is best to seek advice as soon as possible after unprotected sex or a contraception failure.
Can someone else collect the morning-after pill for me?
Potentially, but you will need to speak directly with the pharmacy team first. The person who needs the emergency contraception must have a confidential consultation so we can make sure it is safe and suitable for them. This consultation may be possible over the phone.
Do I need a prescription from my GP?
No. A separate prescription is not usually required. Following a clinical assessment, a trained pharmacy professional may be able to provide oral contraception directly through the NHS service.
Can I use the service if I am under 16?
Yes. Contraception services are confidential and can be available to people under 16. The pharmacy professional will need to make sure that the service is appropriate for you and may ask some additional questions about your health, wellbeing and safety.
Will you need to check my blood pressure?
A blood pressure check is normally required before supplying a combined contraceptive pill. We may also measure your height and weight as part of the clinical assessment.
Is the service confidential?
Yes. Your consultation will take place privately, and your personal information will be handled confidentially. This also applies to young people accessing contraception services.
Is the NHS Contraception Service free?
Yes. Consultations and contraception supplied through the NHS Pharmacy Contraception Service are free for eligible patients.
Will you tell my GP?
We will only share information about your consultation with your GP if you give us permission. In limited circumstances, information may need to be shared with an appropriate healthcare or safeguarding service if there is a serious concern about your safety or wellbeing.
Can I access other types of contraception through the pharmacy?
The national pharmacy service principally supplies oral contraception and oral emergency contraception. If you are interested in an implant, injection, patch, vaginal ring, coil or another option, we can help you find an appropriate GP or sexual health service.
Does the pill protect against sexually transmitted infections?
No. The contraceptive pill does not protect against sexually transmitted infections. Condoms can help reduce the risk of infection. Speak to our team or a sexual health service if you need advice, testing or treatment.
Access contraception through a Procters Pharmacy
Speak to the team at your local Procters Pharmacy to find out more about the NHS Contraception Service and arrange a confidential consultation. Whether you are starting the pill, need your next supply or require emergency contraception, our trained pharmacy team is here to provide clear, professional and discreet support.