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Pharmacy Contraception Service: Information for Community Pharmacies

The Pharmacy Contraception Service is available at these pharmacies in Hertfordshire and West Essex (Last updated: 9 September 2025)

Sexual Health Hertfordshire – Find a clinic

Please work with your Community Pharmacy PCN Engagement Lead regarding feedback on the Pharmacy Contraception Service including any challenges to delivery. Contact details of your PCN lead for your pharmacy are available on the HWE ICB website.

Wednesday 29th October 2025, has been set as the provisional date that the PCS will expand to include the provision of oral emergency contraception (EC). In addition, the service will be updated to allow pharmacy technicians to provide the service from that day.

Final PGDs Released 20 October 2025

Please review the updated PGDs for the PCS service, noting the recent changes to initiation and ongoing supply, as well as the introduction of emergency contraception (EC) supply.

CPE Webinar Recording October 2025

Please refer to CPE’s recent webinar recording, highlighting key changes to the PCS service coming into effect on 29 October 2025 (Provisional date) as well as answering key questions around the emergency contraception (EC) supply.

Core Documents

The full requirements for delivering the Pharmacy Contraception Service are detailed in the service specification and clinical pathway. This service allows pharmacists to initiate or continue oral contraception under the NHS, following the requirements set out in the specification. The service specification, clinical pathway, and all supporting documents are available to download from the CPE website.


Funding and Claiming Payment

Pharmacy Contraception Service consultation fees are set by NHS England and payments are administered by NHSBSA. Data recorded on the PCS IT system is submitted to the MYS portal, and pharmacy owners must review and submit claims monthly. For the latest details on consultation payments and claiming processes, please refer to the Funding and Claiming Payment section on the CPE website.

To determine the financial viability of offering this service, please use our Contraception costing tool to evaluate the potential monetary return. A new costing tool reflecting the recent changes to the service will be published shortly – Look our for our E-news for updates.

Resources

Full resources for the Pharmacy First service including videos and templates can be found on the CPE website under Resources.

Local Resources

Service Viability Costing Tool

We have put together a costing tool designed to help you assess the viability of the Pharmacy Contraception Service and estimate the potential payments their pharmacy could receive based on the number and type of consultations provided.

Signposting To Local Safeguarding/Additional Support Services

We have worked with Hertfordshire County Council Public Health team to put together an easy read document detailing information to local safeguarding and additional support services.

FAQs

We have compiled answers to common questions received from pharmacies covering areas such as training and competence, service delivery, consultations and clinical pathways, and payments and claims. For detailed guidance, please visit our Pharmacy Contraception Service FAQs page.

Marketing Materials

Please visit the CPE website and check their resources section for all marketing material for the service.

The attached marketing materials are now available to use to promote the Advanced Pharmacy Contraception Service. These will need to be printed locally:

Contraception Management – translated marketing material

A selection of translated marketing materials has been provided to support the Community Pharmacy Contraception Management Advanced Service Tier 1.

The information within these are the same as the current material that is available and includes posters and business cards that have been translated into the following languages:

Working With GP Practices

Help you GP colleagues understand the service and refer appropriately.