Hundreds of thousands of women get morning-after pill via free pharmacy service
A new NHS scheme in England has provided over 300,000 free doses of the morning-after pill through pharmacies since October 2025. The initiative aims to remove barriers to emergency contraception by allowing women to bypass GP or clinic appointments.
Why it matters
This policy shift significantly improves reproductive healthcare access and reduces the administrative burden on the NHS by decentralizing emergency contraceptive services.
Image source, Getty Images By Michelle Roberts Digital health editor Published 16 minutes ago Hundreds of thousands of women have used a new, free morning-after pill service at high street pharmacies in England, figures reveal.
The scheme launched in October to improve access and save women from having to book a GP or sexual health clinic appointment.
New NHS figures show that almost 305,000 doses were given out at pharmacies between October 2025 and March 2026.
Meanwhile, the number of women asking pharmacists about going on the regular oral contraceptive pill more than doubled, from around 50,000 to more than 115,000 in the 12 months to February 2026.
The morning-after pill, known as emergency contraception , external , is medication designed to prevent unwanted pregnancies. It usually has to be taken within three to five days of having unprotected sex. The sooner it is taken, the more effective it is.
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