Published on: 29 October 2025
Women will be able to access the morning-after pill free of charge on the NHS in high-street pharmacies across Herefordshire and Worcestershire from today.
In the “biggest change to sexual health services since the 1960s”, the oral emergency contraception pill will be available for free to women from almost 10,000 pharmacies across the country without needing to see their GP or get an appointment at a sexual health clinic.
As part of a major expansion of pharmacy services announced by NHS England, people starting treatment with anti-depressants will also be able to seek additional advice and support about their medication and healthy lifestyle changes from their local pharmacist.
Earlier this year, pharmacies also began offering oral contraceptive pill consultations and repeat supplies, allowing women to start or continue the supply of their regular contraception from their local pharmacy.
The initiative is part of a wider package of support for community pharmacies and expanding access to NHS services, helping people to get the care they need in convenient, familiar settings.
Community pharmacies are staffed by pharmacists who are skilled and qualified health professionals who are ready to provide advice and support, helping patients access emergency contraception or extra guidance on their anti-depressant medication as part of routine community healthcare services.
Your local pharmacy can now also provide a free blood pressure check service for anyone over 40, and they are supporting patients who wish to stop smoking through the Smoking Cessation Service.
Community pharmacies are also playing an increasing role in NHS vaccination programmes, providing flu and Covid vaccinations to those eligible.
