Further information

Pharmacy technicians can also:

• Advise on what to do if a pill is missed or there are symptoms of severe vomiting or diarrhoea
• Provide information about cancer risks: although the combined oral contraceptive is associated with an increased risk of breast and cervical cancers, the risk is small and reduces with time after stopping the product. On the plus side, combined oral contraceptives reduce the risk of ovarian and endometrial cancer and this is sustained after patients stop taking them
• Advise that while taking oral contraceptives, people should seek advice from a healthcare professional before starting any new medicines (including OTC, complementary medicines and dietary supplements).