Overview
- Women can now obtain emergency contraception free of charge in participating pharmacies without a GP or clinic appointment.
- Pharmacists begin providing advice and follow-up for adults newly prescribed antidepressants as part of the service expansion.
- The rollout is supported by a £617 million two-year government funding boost for community pharmacy services.
- A national awareness campaign runs from 20 October 2025 to 4 January 2026 to highlight pharmacy services, though not all pharmacies have signed up.
- Safeguards apply for under-16s via Fraser guidelines, and some online providers will still charge while Boots signposts customers to the free NHS service.