FROM remembering to take your pill daily, to having to see your GP to get your prescription renewed, being on birth control can certainly be a hassle.
But NHS changes could make getting your pill just a little bit easier, especially with doctor’s appointments being hard to come by nowadays.
You can continue your contraceptive supply by visiting a pharmacy instead of a GP
If you’ve already been prescribed oral contraception and need more of it, your repeat prescription can be handled by your pharmacy from later this month.
Under what is called the NHS Pharmacy Contraception Service, you’ll no longer need to book an appointment with your GP or sexual health clinic if your contraceptive pill runs out.
Instead, from April 24, you can get your repeat prescription renewed at a pharmacy – they’ll be able to ensure you continue to get pill.
The service was initially set to launch in pharmacies in January this year, but more time was needed to develop IT systems that would allow it to be implemented seamlessly.
The Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee (PSNC) – which handles negotiations about pharmacy services and funding with the government – confirmed its new launch date last week.
But it warned the service might not be feasible or affordable for many pharmacies under the current level of funding the government provides them.
April 24 will see the service’s first tier being rolled out in pharmacies.
And though it’s unclear when exactly this will be implemented, there are plans for pharmacists to be able to prescribe oral contraception under the service, meaning patients will no longer have to rely on GPs for access to the pills.
Am I eligible?
You’ll be able to visit your pharmacy to get the Pill if:
you’re over 16 and have already started your period, and under 54 you’ve already been supplied oral contraception by a doctor or sexual health clinic and you need that to be continued
If you’re taking a progesterone only pill, you’ll have to provide your pharmacy with your blood pressure and BMI readings, according to NHS documents about the service.
However, you won’t be able to go to a pharmacy to renew your prescription for the pill if there’s been a gap in you taking it, the NHS stated.
That means that when you visit your pharmacy, you can’t have let time pass since last taking your contraceptive.
In what cases would I not be able to use this service?
You won’t be able to use the Pharmacy Contraception Service if:
you’re under 16 you’re over 16 but the pharmacist determines you don’t have the capacity to consentyou’re pregnant are hypersensitive to the ingredients in a contraceptive pill you have acute porphyria (a group of rare disorders)are aged 55 and over if you have a gap in contraceptive pill use
If you have a history of cardiovascular disease, a history or risk of breast or liver cancer, have gastro-intestinal conditions such as severe cirrhosis and take medicines that have enzyme-inducing drugs or herbal products, you also won’t be able to participate in the service.
PSNC has warned that some pharmacies might not have the capacity to provide the service due to intense current workloads.
It’s worth checking with your local pharmacy whether you’ll be able to go to them to renew your contraception prescription, come next week.
Scientists have issued a warning that taking the Pill – whether it’s combined or progesterone only – can increase your risk of breast cancer by 25 per cent.
Meanwhile, experts have claimed that TikTok videos which promote tracking your period to avoid taking the pill could lead to more teenagers getting pregnant.