From today, community pharmacies across England can offer expanded NHS services to make emergency contraception and support for people prescribed antidepressants more accessible in local communities.

Under the expanded Pharmacy Contraception Service (PCS), pharmacies are able to provide women across the country access to oral emergency contraception as well as their regular contraceptive pill through a confidential consultation. Patients do not need to be registered with a GP, and both the consultation and the supply of the oral contraception medication are free. From today, pharmacy technicians are also able to provide these services under the updated service.

Support for patients starting antidepressants

Depression has been added as a new therapeutic area to the New Medicine Service (NMS). Pharmacies are able to offer patients who have been prescribed antidepressants follow-up support to help them understand their medication and manage their treatment safely.

Full details of the service changes are available in our previous update: PCS and NMS expansions to go live 29th Oct

A range of resources are available for pharmacies to display and share with patients to help raise awareness of the new and expanded services:

Janet Morrison, Chief Executive of Community Pharmacy England, said:

“Providing emergency contraception through community pharmacies is a fantastic move for widening access and convenience for patients across the country.

Allowing regular supply of oral contraception from pharmacies has been well received, so building on this to now include emergency contraception is a natural step.

Many pharmacies have been involved in similar local schemes for years, so we’re pleased to see this important new service introduce a consistent offer to women nationally.”

Community Pharmacy England’s comment was included in NHS England’s official press release announcing the expanded services. The story has since received widespread media coverage, including ITV News, The Independent, The Telegraph, The Times, The Sun, Metro, The Express and Radio News Hub, with Community Pharmacy England Committee Member and pharmacy owner Lindsey Fairbrother speaking about the emergency contraception service changes and their positive impact for patients and communities. Lindsey also spoke LBC News during the James O’Brien show.

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