Women can get the morning-after pill free of charge in pharmacies across England from today.
The move, which was announced in March as part of the Government’s plans for investment in community pharmacies, could benefit tens of thousands of women, NHS England estimates.
“For too long, access to free emergency contraception has been a postcode lottery for patients, with local arrangements only existing in certain parts of the country,” said Henry Gregg, chief executive of the National Pharmacy Association, who welcomed the news.
“Pharmacies are a great place for patients to get care quickly on their doorstep and we would never want to see people priced out from such a vital treatment.”
However warnings have also been raised that emergency contraception should not be used as a replacement for regular contraception such as condoms, IUDs and the combined pill.
