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Health secretary Wes Streeting has claimed the addition of the morning after pill to the pharmacy contraception service (PCS) today is “the biggest change to sexual health services since the 1960s”.

From today, community pharmacies in England can provide emergency hormonal contraception to patients free of charge as part of the PCS. 

The move – agreed as part of the 2025-26 funding deal for the sector – was widely welcomed, with Mr Streeting calling it a “major advance for women’s health”.

Dr Sue Mann, a clinical director in women’s health at the NHS, described it as a “game-changer” that will mean women “can just pop into their local pharmacy” for EHC without an appointment. 

National Pharmacy Association chief executive Henry Gregg said: “We’ve long called for the national commissioning of emergency contraception so this is good news for patients and pharmacies alike.

“For too long, access to free emergency contraception has been a postcode lottery for patients, with local arrangements only existing in certain parts of the country.”

Mr Gregg said pharmacies are “closing in record numbers” and called for them to be better funded “so they can continue to provide services to patients such as these”.

“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,” commented Janet Morrison, chief executive at Community Pharmacy England. 

“Expansion of the NHS pharmacy contraception service to provide access to emergency hormonal contraception through community pharmacies is a significant step in ensuring women have access to the healthcare they need when they need it,” said Boots superintendent pharmacist Claire Nevinson. 

NHS figures show that 92,109 EHC items were prescribed in the community in England in 2024-25, a two per cent reduction on the previous year and a fifth less than in 2014-15.

In other changes that come into force today, pharmacy technicians are now allowed to provide the PCS and drospirenone has been added to the list of contraceptives that can be supplied. 

NMS expansion must be funded - CCA

The long-awaited addition of depression to the New Medicine Service also kicks in from today. 

Commenting on the NMS expansion, Malcolm Harrison of the Company Chemists’ Association said: “This expansion highlights the growing role community pharmacy plays in helping patients to manage long-term conditions, while also easing pressure on other parts of the NHS. 

“The scope of NMS has expanded considerably since its launch in 2011, but funding has not kept pace. The service volume has grown by 40 per cent in the last year alone. 

“Each year, six per cent of adults in England will experience an episode of depression. NHS data showed that in 2024-25, there were 92.6 million anti-depressant items prescribed to an estimated 8.89 million identified patients.

“The NMS could therefore see a considerable increase in demand. It is critical that continued investment in community pharmacy follows to ensure the service remains viable.”