In the most significant transformation of sexual health services since the 1960s, women across England can now access free oral emergency contraception directly from nearly 10,000 community pharmacies – without the need for a GP appointment or sexual health clinic visit.
This historic move is part of a sweeping NHS England initiative to expand the role of community pharmacies, making healthcare more accessible, convenient, and patient-focused.
From today, women can walk into their local pharmacy and receive the morning-after pill free of charge. This change removes long-standing barriers to timely access, empowering women to take control of their reproductive health with greater ease and discretion.
In another major development, individuals newly prescribed antidepressants will now be able to receive personalised advice and support from their local pharmacist. Anyone aged 18 or over collecting a new prescription can discuss how the medication is working, raise concerns, and even schedule a follow-up phone consultation.
This service aims to improve mental health outcomes by offering accessible, ongoing support in a familiar setting.
This expansion builds on earlier changes introduced in 2025, including:
- Oral contraceptive consultations and repeat supplies at pharmacies.
- Prescription-only treatments for common conditions like UTIs, sinusitis, sore throats, and more—without needing to see a GP.
- Free blood pressure checks for over-40s.
- Smoking cessation support.
- Flu and COVID-19 vaccinations for eligible patients.
NHS National Clinical Director in Women’s Health, Dr Sue Mann, commented:
“This is one of the biggest changes to sexual health services since the 1960s and a game-changer in making reproductive healthcare more easily accessible for women.
“Instead of trying to search for women’s services or explain their needs, from today women can just pop into their local pharmacy and get the oral emergency contraceptive pill free of charge without needing to make an appointment.
“Community pharmacists and their teams are trusted professionals who women will be able to speak to confidentially and address any concerns they may have.
“With 4 in 5 people living within a 20-minute walk from a pharmacy this service is another example of how the NHS is already delivering on our 10 Year Health Plan commitment to shift care into the heart of communities.”
These services are delivered by highly trained pharmacists, who are increasingly becoming the first point of contact for NHS care in the community.
The government has committed a record £617 million over two years to support this transformation, in partnership with Community Pharmacy England.
A national campaign running from 20 October 2025 to 4 January 2026 will raise awareness of the expanded services. Adverts will appear across TV on demand, radio, public spaces, websites, and social media platforms.
This initiative marks a pivotal shift in how NHS services are delivered—bringing care closer to home, reducing pressure on GPs, and ensuring faster, more flexible access to essential treatments.
Image credit: iStock
