The NHSE Pharmacy Contraception Service

The NHS England (NHSE) Pharmacy Contraception Service has been set up to increase patient choice and access to contraception services. It can be provided by suitably trained and competent pharmacy staff, including pharmacy technicians and other non-registered members of the pharmacy team, but supply of the contraceptive must be made by a pharmacist under a patient group direction (PGD).

Under the service, pharmacies can initiate the supply of oral contraceptives as well as monitor patients and provide ongoing supplies. Ongoing provision applies to pills that have been initiated in the pharmacy as well as those prescribed elsewhere in primary care, such as in general practice or at sexual health clinics.

Inclusion criteria

To be eligible for the service, patients must be looking to start taking an oral contraceptive or seeking a further supply of their existing one. The service covers both combined and progestogen only pills, with age suitability as follows:

• Combined oral contraceptive: from menarche (first menstrual period) up to and including 49 years of age
• Progestogen only pill: from menarche up to and including 54 years of age.

The pharmacy must respond to anybody requesting oral contraceptives as soon as is reasonably possible. The consultation must include a conversation regarding alternative and more effective forms of contraception, such as long-acting reversible contraception (LARC). If the pharmacy is unable to offer a consultation within the time required by the patient, they should be signposted to another service provider.

Exclusion criteria

Individuals will not be eligible for this service if they are considered clinically unsuitable or are excluded because of the PGD protocols, which include but are not limited to:

• Being under 16 years of age and assessed as not competent using Fraser Guidelines (these guidelines apply to contraception and sexual health advice and treatment for people under 16)
• Being 16 years of age or over but assessed as lacking the capacity to consent.

Duration of supply

Pharmacists can supply up to three months’ worth of pills as initial supply and up to 12 months as ongoing supply:

• Initial supply: is for people who are starting oral contraception for the first time or want to restart following a break. It also applies to those who are switching to an alternative pill following their consultation
• Ongoing supply: when a person has already been supplied with oral contraception by a primary care provider (including general practice and pharmacies) or a sexual health clinic (or equivalent) and a subsequent equivalent supply is needed. Their current supply of oral contraception should still be in use.

Providing information

All patients should receive the product in its original packaging with the patient information leaflet. The patient’s regimen may differ from the standard dosing on the product packaging, so this should be explained to them in order to avoid confusion. Patients should also be provided with written information or links to trusted online resources to help them use their pills safely and effectively.

For full details of the NHSE Pharmacy Contraception Service, please visit: england.nhs.uk/long-read/nhs-pharmacy-contraception-service.