Offering the morning-after pill at pharmacies without charge will reduce financial impact on NHS, say doctors

Julien Behal/PA Wire

By Ellie Broughton

Making the morning-after pill universally free at pharmacies in England will reduce pressure on other parts of the NHS, save resources and result in better health outcomes for patients, doctors have said.

The emergency contraception is to be made universally free at pharmacies in England later this year, as part of a new funding deal agreed between the government and Community Pharmacy England.

The cost of the morning-after pill and poor access to contraceptive services has seen some women turn to less reliable methods, research suggests.

It currently varies between £10 to £33 per dose, although is available for free at some pharmacies for selected age groups and when it is commissioned by the local authority. It is also available for free from sexual health clinics and from GP surgeries on prescription.

Some women have reported finding it difficult to access contraceptive services, either at the GP or sexual health clinics, while others wish to avoid side effects so have chosen more natural but less reliable contraception methods.