How to get free contraception from your local pharmacy
First published: 6 March 2024
Updated: 29 October 2025
This article was refreshed in October 2025 to include the introduction of free emergency contraception at participating pharmacies from 29 October 2025.
Women across England can access free contraceptive care from community pharmacies as part of NHS efforts to make sexual and reproductive healthcare easier to reach.
If you need contraception, you may not need to book a GP appointment. In recent years, NHS services have expanded through community pharmacies to make access easier and more convenient.
Women across England can now access free contraceptive care from community pharmacies. Many community pharmacies across North Yorkshire now offer these services. In rural areas, being able to access contraception at a local pharmacy can reduce the need for longer journeys to GP practices or sexual health clinics.
Free regular contraceptive pills in pharmacies
From 6 March 2024, women in England have been able to get free regular contraceptive pills from participating community pharmacies without needing a GP appointment or visit to a sexual health clinic.
Under this service:
- Women can visit participating local pharmacies without an appointment and speak privately with a trained pharmacist.
- A pharmacist may be able to supply the combined or progestogen only oral contraceptive pill, whether someone is starting contraception for the first time, restarting after a break, or collecting a repeat supply.
- The service is free on the NHS, and consultations include appropriate checks such as blood pressure and body mass index where needed.
- Pharmacy staff have specialist training so they can advise on contraception, sexual health, and direct people to other services if required.
This means many women can access regular contraception more conveniently and confidentially than before.
Free emergency contraception in pharmacies
From 29 October 2025, free emergency contraception became available in participating community pharmacies across England as part of an NHS service expansion.
This means you can request the emergency contraceptive pill, often called the morning after pill, directly from a participating pharmacy without needing a GP appointment or referral.
The change removed the previous cost barrier, as the pill could previously cost up to around £30 at some pharmacies. The aim is to make access quicker, more consistent and easier when timing is important.
Many community pharmacies across North Yorkshire now offer this service.
What this means for you
- You may not need to book a GP appointment to access contraception.
- You can speak directly to a pharmacist in a private consultation room.
- Both regular contraceptive pills and emergency contraception are available free on the NHS through participating pharmacies.
- You can choose whether to use a pharmacy, GP practice or sexual health clinic.
- If you prefer, you can ask to see a pharmacist of a specific gender.
If you are unsure whether your local pharmacy offers these services, speak to the pharmacy team or check the NHS website. If you experience difficulties accessing contraception locally, you can contact Healthwatch North Yorkshire to share your experience.
