Pharmacy Contraception Service

Updated 5/11/25

For GP resources please scroll down the page

Please see Community Pharmacy England’s webpage for the Pharmacy Contraception Service for more details and support in promoting the service to the public. Pharmacy Contraception Service (PCS) – Community Pharmacy England

A selection of posters/leaflets for use in your pharmacy can be accessed below-more resources are available on the CPE website:

Pathways

The service allows for the following services, free of charge, on the NHS:

Note regarding Long Acting Reversible Contraception (LARC):

Where you identify that LARC is the most suitable contraception for the patient they should be referred either to their GP or Greater Lincolnshire Integrated Sexual Health Service (GLISH).

When an IUD/coil is considered necessary/ preferable for emergency contraception patients should be referred to GLISH, as the limited GP practices in the county which offer this service are unlikely to be able to facilitate this within the required timescales.

GLISH contact details can be found here: https://www.greaterlincolnshiresexualhealth.nhs.uk/

Additional Support

If patients need support after rape and sexual support please search for a rape and sexual support centre here: Find a rape and sexual assault referral centre – NHS

Working with General Practice

Resources to support GP practices working with patients and their local pharmacies can be found below. GPs may also be interested in the Pathway documents above.

Inclusion criteria

4.8    To be eligible to access this service a person must:

• Be an individual of childbearing potential seeking a supply of oral EC only following confirmation of UPSI or where regular contraception has been compromised or used incorrectly OR
• Be an individual seeking to be initiated on an OC, or seeking to obtain a further supply of their ongoing OC for contraceptive purposes:
  • Combined Oral Contraceptive (COC) –
    • from menarche up to and including 49 years of age; or
  • Progestogen Only Pill (POP) –
    • Norethisterone, Levonorgestrel and Desogestrel – from menarche up to and including 54 years.
    • Drospirenone only – from menarche up to and including 49 years.

Exclusion criteria

4.9    A person will not be eligible for this service if:

• they are considered clinically unsuitable, or are excluded for supply of oral EC or OC according to the relevant PGD protocols, including, but not limited to:
  • individuals under 16 years of age and assessed as not competent using Fraser Guidelines
  • individuals 16 years of age and over and assessed as lacking capacity to consent

A selection of posters/leaflets for use in non-pharmacy premises can be found here:

Local contacts:

Please email:

• info@pharmacylincolnshire.org or
• contact the Community Pharmacy Lincolnshire Services Implementation and Support Lead, Stuart Hellon::
  • 07759 029027 or stuart.hellon@pharmacylincolnshire.org

If you would like support to work with your local pharmacies to maximise patient benefits and free up capacity in your practice, please contact Stuart.

(please note that Stuart works 11.5 hours per week, generally over Tuesday and Wednesday)