Expanding access to oral contraception through community pharmacies empowers women to make informed decisions about their reproductive health – says Boots pharmacist Claire Nevinson 

Boots has announced the rollout of the NHS Pharmacy Contraception Service in more than 1,250 stores across England.

This service offers patients a free, accessible, and convenient way to obtain regular oral contraception—either a progesterone-only pill or a combined pill—without the need to schedule a GP appointment.

Claire Nevinson, superintendent pharmacist at Boots, highlighted that expanding access to oral contraception through community pharmacies empowers women to “make informed decisions about their reproductive health.”

She added: “Many of our stores are open in the evenings and on weekends, when GPs are typically closed, so the service allows patients to access contraceptive support at a time that suits them.”

Andrew Hogan, a pharmacist providing the service at a Boot store in Durham, expressed his satisfaction in being able to support patients in new ways while also helping to reduce pressure on GP surgeries.

He shared: “Since launching the service in our store, I’ve been able to supply a number of patients with oral contraception.

“The feedback has been really positive so far and patients like the easy access to confidential consultations with a healthcare professional at a time that fits into women’s busy lives has been very well received.”

Boots noted that the service is available to patients from the onset of menstruation up to age 49 for combined oral contraception, and up to age 54 for the progesterone-only pill Read More….