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Morning-after pill set to be made free from pharmacies

Published 15:37 30 Mar 2025 BST

Updated 15:37 30 Mar 2025 BST

Ava Keady
Morning-after pill set to be made free from pharmacies

Homenews

The health minister said it's to end to end an 'unfair postcode lottery'.

The morning-after pill is set to become free from pharmacies across the UK.

While the emergency contraception is currently free from most GPs and sexual health clinics, pharmacies could charge up to £30 for it.

Health minister Stephen Kinnock said this is to end the 'unfair postcode lottery' women face when seeking emergency contraception, 'with access varying dramatically depending on where they live'.

He called equal access to safe contraception as 'a cornerstone of a fair society'.

The proposal, which is set to be announced tomorrow is part of a wider investment in community pharmacies and would come into effect later in the year.

In addition to making the pill more accessible, it is hoped the plans will also free up appointments for GPs as women will no longer need to book appointments to receive the medicine.

This comes as the Government is making an array of changes to the healthcare system, including the scrapping of NHS England.

Morning-after pill set to be made free from pharmacies