Expanding access to oral contraception through community pharmacies empowers women to make informed decisions about their reproductive health - says Boots pharmacist Claire Nevinson
Boots has announced the rollout of the NHS Pharmacy Contraception Service in more than 1,250 stores across England.
This service offers patients a free, accessible, and convenient way to obtain regular oral contraception—either a progesterone-only pill or a combined pill—without the need to schedule a GP appointment.
Claire Nevinson, superintendent pharmacist at Boots, highlighted that expanding access to oral contraception through community pharmacies empowers women to “make informed decisions about their reproductive health.”
She added: “Many of our stores are open in the evenings and on weekends, when GPs are typically closed, so the service allows patients to access contraceptive support at a time that suits them.”
Andrew Hogan, a pharmacist providing the service at a Boot store in Durham, expressed his satisfaction in being able to support patients in new ways while also helping to reduce pressure on GP surgeries.
He shared: “Since launching the service in our store, I’ve been able to supply a number of patients with oral contraception.
“The feedback has been really positive so far and patients like the easy access to confidential consultations with a healthcare professional at a time that fits into women’s busy lives has been very well received.”
Boots noted that the service is available to patients from the onset of menstruation up to age 49 for combined oral contraception, and up to age 54 for the progesterone-only pill.
During a private consultation, a specially trained Boots pharmacist will conduct a health assessment and advise on the different contraception pill options that are suitable for the patient.
Following the consultation, the pharmacist can provide a new or repeat supply of contraception pill or refer the patient to a GP if a supply is not appropriate.
Starting in Spring 2023, pharmacies were permitted to register for the NHS Pharmacy Contraception advanced service, enabling them to offer ongoing supplies of oral contraception.
Beginning on 1 December 2023, the service expanded to allow individuals to have confidential consultations with community pharmacists to request a prescription for the contraceptive pill directly from their pharmacist instead of going through their GP or a sexual health clinic.
