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Legal process

An Order (an amendment to the Prescription Only Medicines (Human Use) Order) was laid before Parliament on Monday 11 December. The Order came into effect on Monday 1 January 2001. The Order will reclassify progestogen only emergency contraception to pharmacy availability for women aged 16 and over.

The product is now available to purchase in some pharmacy chains and will become widely available from the end of January.

Guidance and training for pharmacists

Comprehensive guidance on best practice for the supply of emergency contraception, has been sent to all pharmacists by the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (England, Scotland and Wales) and the Pharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland. This will be supported by training, provided by the Centre for Postgraduate Pharmacy Education in the four Home Countries.

Pharmacists should develop links into existing networks for family planning services so that under 16s and other women that need to see a doctor can be referred on quickly. Up to date information on these services including location, hours of opening and services provided should be available in every pharmacy.

Access

Clinical trials have shown that efficacy of hormonal emergency contraception is increased the earlier it is taken after unprotected sexual intercourse. In some areas pharmacies are already supplying emergency contraception free of charge under the NHS using a patient group direction. Although direct pharmacy supply will require women to pay, it will provide an additional point of access to emergency contraception. for women to access emergency contraception. This will be particularly useful at weekends and evenings when other services might not be available. Hormonal emergency contraception will remain available free of charge on prescription for women of all ages, including under 16s, from GPs and FP clinics etc.