Women encouraged to visit their local pharmacy for the morning after pill

Image courtesy of Jo Panuwat D

Women across the Black Country are being encouraged to visit their local pharmacy for the morning after pill (emergency contraception) – making it quicker and easier to access the care they need without booking a GP or clinic appointment.

Following the successful launch of the oral contraception service in March 2025, which allows patients to start or continue taking the contraceptive pill directly from their local pharmacy, the region has now extended access to include the morning after pill (emergency hormonal contraception).

More than 200 pharmacies across the Black Country are now participating in this expanded service, aimed at increasing choice, accessibility and confidentiality. Services include:

• Supply of oral contraception (the pill) – first supply or continuation – with a confidential consultation at the pharmacy, free of prescription charge.
• Supply of the morning after pill (emergency contraception) – available as part of this service extension, so that people needing it urgently do not have to wait for a GP appointment.

Sukhy Somal, Head of Community Pharmacy Clinical Services for the NHS Black Country Integrated Care Board (ICB), said: “Pharmacists and pharmacy technicians are trained experts to provide timely, safe, confidential access to both regular and emergency contraception. This helps people avoid delays and ensures better support across the Black Country.”

The morning after pill is most effective the sooner it is taken after unprotected sex, and this new service aims to remove barriers to timely access. Pharmacists and pharmacy technicians will provide information on ongoing contraception options and sexual health services where appropriate.

The new services are part of an NHS England initiative to expand the range of clinical services available in community pharmacies, helping to free up GP appointments while improving timely access to care.

Residents can find participating pharmacies across Walsall, Wolverhampton, Sandwell and Dudley on the Black Country ICB website or by asking their local pharmacy.