The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 279 No 7482 p669
15 December 2007

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Pharmacies to supply oral contraception without prescription

Oral contraception is to be made available from community pharmacies without a prescription.

Health minister Lord Darzi said this week in the House of Lords that the Government would work with primary care trusts to pilot the availability of oral contraception under “NHS arrangements”.

The Royal Pharmaceutical Society welcomed the announcement, saying that pharmacists have the clinical skills necesary to ensure the appropriate use of oral contraception.

David Pruce, the Society’s director of practice and quality improvement, said that the supply of oral contraception under patient group directions would improve patient choice, access and convenience.

He added that the necessary health checks, such as blood pressure testing and healthy lifestyle checks are already part of the pharmacist’s extended role.