Pharmacy Contraception Service (PCS)

This page contains information about the Pharmacy Contraception Service (PCS), which is commissioned by NHS England as an Advanced service.

The PCS commenced on 24th April 2023, allowing the on-going supply of oral contraception (OC) from community pharmacies. On 1st December 2023, the service expanded to include both initiation and on-going supply of OC. From 29th October 2025, the service was further revised to include the addition of oral emergency contraception (EC), provision by pharmacy technicians and the addition of drospirenone to the progestogen only pill list.

Latest update

As part of negotiations on the Community Pharmacy Contractual Framework (CPCF) arrangements for 2026/27, it has been agreed that Independent Prescribing will be introduced into the CPCF as an extension of Pharmacy First and the Pharmacy Contraception Service (PCS) from autumn 2026.