Emergency Contraception: Inclusion in National Pharmacy Contraception Service
Written by AlisonFreemantle on Friday 17th October 2025
Updated Service Spec and PGDs available from Monday 20th October
In anticipation of the expansion of the NHS Pharmacy Contraception Service to include emergency contraception, the updated service specification and patient group directions (PGDs) will be published on NHS England’s website on Monday 20 October 2025. This will allow community pharmacy teams to prepare for the service expansion, including the delivery of the PGDs by pharmacy technicians.
Clinical IT suppliers plan to update their systems ahead of go-live to allow contractors to record consultations appropriately and in line with the changes. The current service documents will be available on the NHSBSA website and will remain in place until the service commencement date for these enhancements is announced and authorised by NHS England.
The start date is still provisional for the 29th October.
Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians who are or will be providing the NHS Pharmacy Contraception Service should read the updated service documents and sign the PGD authorisation sheets in preparation for go-live.
Once the national service goes live the Councils will give notice on the locally commissioned services.