NHS Pharmacy Contraception Service (PCS)

The PCS will enable Community Pharmacists to initiate and provide ongoing supplies of Oral Contraceptives (OC) under a Patient Group Direction (PGD) – the Service Specification can be accessed here. 

 

From 29th October 2025 – the service will expand to also include the provision of oral Emergency Contraception (EC). The draft version of the service specification is available here. We recommend you familiarise yourself with the draft version of the new specifications and the new PGDs prior to the start of the service going live.

 

  • The COC PGD can be accessed here
  • The POP PGD can be accessed here
  • The draft Ulipristal PGD can be accessed here
  • The draft Levonorgestrel PGD can be accessed here

 

Before a supply of a Combined Oral Contraceptive (COC) can be made, a BP reading and, in some cases BMI, will need to be recorded. Readings provided by the patient (BP and a BMI) may be accepted where the pharmacist feels this is clinically appropriate (self-reported measurements will need to be recorded as such). 

 

 

Eligibility

 

Patients can access the PCS via the following routes:

  • Identified as clinically suitable by the community pharmacist and accept the offer of the service;
  • Self-refer to a community pharmacy;
  • Referred by their General Practice, Sexual Health Clinic (or equivalent); or
  • Referred from other NHS service providers, e.g. Urgent Treatment Centres or NHS 111

 

Note: It would be prudent to begin highlighting the availability of the PCS to patients attending the pharmacy to collect an NHS repeat prescription for an OC or those requesting Emergency Hormonal Contraception (EHC). 

 

The consultation must be provided by a pharmacist. Body Mass Index (BMI) and Blood Pressure (BP) measurements may be conducted by a suitably trained pharmacy technician (in advance of the patients consultation with the pharmacist). A patient may also offer their own weight, height and blood pressure measurements.

 

From 29th October 2025 – the service will expand to allow pharmacy technicians to deliver the service via PGDs.  This means that suitably trained pharmacy staff deliver parts of the service e.g. completing BP checks but only the pharmacist or the pharmacy technician can make a supply of OC. Pharmacists and pharmacy technicians must have completed one of the recommended Safeguarding level 3 training OR have direct access to professional advice from someone who can advise on Safeguarding at Level 3. SOPs to follow.

Further information and resources to support delivery of the service can be found below.

Resources:

Note - The information contained on this page is correct as of 04/09/25. Please ensure that you consult the latest guidance during the course of your practice.

Should you require any further information or support regarding the above, please contact member support - membersupport@alphega-pharmacy.co.uk  

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