What is the Pharmacy Contraception Service?

The Pharmacy Contraception Service is provided by all pharmacies across Nottinghamshire. When you visit the pharmacy to use this service, the pharmacist will be able to offer you the contraceptive pill without a prescription. You will not need to see your GP before you use the service.

How much does the service cost?

There is no cost to you because the contraceptive pill is free, whether you have a prescription or not. If you already have a prescription for the contraceptive pill from your GP, you can use the service. You can get the contraceptive pill from your local pharmacy even if you don’t have a prescription.

Who is able to have the contraceptive pill without a prescription?

You can talk to the pharmacist about getting the contraceptive pill from the pharmacy if you would like to:

• start taking the contraceptive pill for the first time
• obtain your supply of the same contraceptive pill that has previously been prescribed by your GP
• take the contraceptive pill again if you haven’t used it for a while

What can I expect when I visit the pharmacy and ask about getting the contraceptive pill without a prescription?

The pharmacist will chat to you in a private consultation room in the pharmacy, exactly the same as you would find in your GP surgery. The pharmacist will ask questions about your general health and check your weight, height and blood pressure.

The pharmacist will talk to you about how to take the pill. They will also make sure you know about the possible side effects. You will be offered either the:

• combined pill
• progestogen-only pill

The pharmacist will inform your GP if they do provide you with the contraceptive pill. They will only do this if you are happy for them to. Your information will never be shared with anyone else.

How do I find my nearest pharmacy to access the Pharmacy Contraception Service?

Click on the link below to find your nearest pharmacy that offers the Pharmacy Contraception Service.

You can get free emergency contraception from your pharmacy.

The emergency contraceptive pill (morning after pill) can stop a pregnancy happening after sex without contraception or if contraception fails.

You need to take it within 3 or 5 days after sex, depending on the type of pill. The sooner you take an emergency contraceptive pill, the more likely it is to work.

What will happen in the pharmacy when you ask for emergency contraception?

The pharmacist will invite you into a private consultation room where they will talk to you, confidentially, about the emergency contraceptive pill.

If the pharmacist advises that the emergency contraceptive pill is right for you, they will discuss how to take it and make you aware of possible side effects. You can ask them any questions at any time.

Getting contraception if you’re under 16

Contraception is free and confidential, including for young people under the age of 16. 

The pharmacist will not tell anyone, including your parents or carer, unless they think you or someone else is at risk of harm.

Find your nearest pharmacy to access Emergency Contraception

Click the button below to find the nearest pharmacy to you that offers Emergency Contraception.