Progesterone-only contraceptive can be bought from pharmacies for the first time
Since 1988 the mini pill, or progestogen-only pill, has only been available with a prescription. After numerous parliamentary reports, studies and public consultations – that’s about to change…
Previously, women could only access contraceptive pills with a prescription from their doctor. The reclassification of the POPs means that barriers to birth control are reduced and women of childbearing age will have greater control over unwanted pregnancies.
Lovima 75 microgram film-coated tablets and Hana 75 microgram film-coated tablets will both become available to purchase after a consultation with a pharmacist. As healthcare professionals, pharmacists are as equally placed as GPs to provide information and advice to women seeking contraception.
The two oral contraceptives contain desogestrel - the most prescribed POP - and are more than 99% effective at preventing pregnancy if taken correctly.
This change comes after an inquiry by the all-party parliamentary group on sexual and reproductive health (APPG SRH) in 2020.
The group heard that barriers to access, underfunding and lack of GP training meant that many women had difficulty accessing contraception. Sexual and reproductive health budgets were reduced by £81.2m between 2015 and 2018. These cuts have led to routine oral contraception not being provided by some services in the UK, free emergency contraception not being available to people of a childbearing age and access restrictions because of where people live.
The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) has been campaigning for this change for some time. On the news, Dr Edward Morris, President of the RCOG said:
“Even before the pandemic, too many women and girls were struggling to access basic women’s health services. The consequences of this include an increase in the number of unplanned pregnancies, which can result in poorer outcomes for women and their babies. Enabling women and girls to access POP more easily and conveniently will give them more control over their reproductive health, which can only be a good thing.”
Women purchasing POPs from pharmacies will be asked a series of questions about whether they might be pregnant, their previous contraception and whether they are living with diabetes, certain allergies, or cancer. If any health concerns are flagged, patients will be referred to a doctor for further advice and investigation.
The POPs will still be available free of charge from a doctor, sexual health clinics and other commissioned services.
This is a huge shift in the women’s healthcare arena, and we want to hear your thoughts. If you would like to contribute to the conversation, email info@talkhealthpartnership.com.
If you want to learn more about women's health, we have loads of great resources on our talkwomenshealth hub!
Information contained in this Articles page has been written by talkhealth based on available medical evidence. The content however should never be considered a substitute for medical advice. You should always seek medical advice before changing your treatment routine. talkhealth does not endorse any specific products, brands or treatments.
Information written by the talkhealth team
Last revised: 15 July 2021
Next review: 15 July 2024
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