NHS Pharmacy Contraception Service
Start the contraceptive pill at the pharmacy
A pharmacist can start you on the pill, with no GP appointment and no referral. The consultation is private and free.
NHSFree on the NHS.
Who this is for
- Starting the combined pill or the progestogen-only pill for the first time
The pharmacist checks the pill is suitable for you, including your blood pressure where it is needed.
At Lower House Pharmacy, Liverpool L11 2SF
- A private consultation room, not the counter
- No GP appointment and no referral needed
- Your GP surgery is sent a record of the consultation
- Your care is delivered by the pharmacy, not by WalkInClinics
Based on our reviewed Contraception service information.
Reviewed by Benjamin Rawthore, Pharmacist Manager and Independent Prescriber (GPhC 2215432). Last reviewed .
What happens at the appointment
A private consultation
You are seen in the consultation room. The pharmacist asks about your medical history, the medicines you take, migraines, smoking and family history.
Checks where they are needed
Blood pressure and weight are measured where the pill in question calls for it, because those results change what can safely be supplied.
Choosing what suits you
The pharmacist talks through what they can supply, how each one is taken, what to do about missed pills, and the side effects worth knowing about.
Your supply
If it is safe to go ahead you leave with your contraception, written instructions, and a date to come back.
Your GP practice is told
A record of the consultation goes to your GP practice so your notes stay accurate.
Where you can get this
Questions people ask
Can I start the pill for the first time?
Yes. Starting contraception is part of the service, not just continuing it. The pharmacist works through the same safety checks a GP would, including your blood pressure, and will refer you on if the pill you had in mind is not suitable for you.
What will the pharmacist ask me?
Your medical history, your periods, the medicines and supplements you take, whether you smoke, whether you get migraines with aura, and your family history of blood clots. Those are the questions that decide which pill is safe for you.
What if the pill is not suitable for me?
The pharmacist explains why and points you to the right service. Some people are safer on a different type of pill, which the pharmacist can often supply on the spot, and some need a method the pharmacy does not provide.
Do I need to see my GP first?
No, and you do not need a referral. You can go straight to a participating pharmacy. Your GP practice is sent a record of the consultation afterwards so your notes stay complete.
Is it free?
Yes. It is an NHS service, so the consultation costs nothing, and contraception is exempt from prescription charges in England. You should not be asked to pay anything at the pharmacy for this service.
Is the consultation private?
Yes. It happens in a consultation room with a door, not at the counter, and pharmacy teams work to the same confidentiality standards as the rest of the NHS.
Where this information comes from
Read more
Book at a participating pharmacy
Your care is delivered by the pharmacy, not by WalkInClinics. The pharmacy team checks your eligibility before the appointment goes ahead.