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Emergency Contraception

Compare pharmacies offering free NHS emergency contraception (the morning-after pill) and private consultations, with typical costs and how it works.

Emergency contraception, commonly known as the morning-after pill, has been free on the NHS at participating pharmacies across England since 29 October 2025 — walk in, have a short confidential consultation with the pharmacist, and if it's suitable it's supplied on the spot, with no GP appointment needed. Community pharmacies in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland already provided it free, and sexual health clinics and GPs offer it free UK-wide. Where a pharmacy doesn't take part in the NHS service, it can still supply emergency contraception privately after the same consultation, typically costing £15-£30. The sooner it's taken after unprotected sex, the more effective it is — some methods work up to 5 days after, but effectiveness decreases with time.

Is the morning-after pill free at UK pharmacies?

Yes at most participating pharmacies. England’s NHS community pharmacy supply has been free since 29 October 2025. Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland already provided it free. Sexual health clinics and GPs also supply it free UK-wide.

Not every branch takes part. Use the NHS finder or call NHS 111 if the first pharmacy cannot supply. Age criteria can vary by nation and local scheme.

Private supply (typically £15–£30 after a consultation) is the fallback when the NHS service is not offered. Ask which queue you are in so you are not billed for a free NHS supply.

How quickly do I need to take emergency contraception?

As soon as possible after unprotected sex. Levonorgestrel is licensed up to 72 hours; ulipristal up to 120 hours. Both work better the sooner they are taken. A copper IUD fitted within five days is the most effective method.

The pill only covers the episode that has already happened — it is not ongoing contraception. The consultation is confidential. Pharmacists will ask about timing, other medicines, and health conditions to choose a suitable option.

This directory cannot fit an IUD. Contact a sexual health clinic or GP for that.

How should I use the pharmacy list below?

Cards are GPhC-registered premises that list emergency contraception. Confirm they can supply today — stock and NHS participation change.

We never invent opening hours. If it is evening or a Sunday, call NHS 111. Same service under the everyday name: morning-after pill.

Typical cost

NHS or private (typically up to £30)

Emergency Contraception by city

Community pharmacies in major UK cities that list emergency contraception — confirm with the branch before you travel.

12 of 9164 pharmacies with emergency contraception confirmed on their profile

Showing 12 of 9,164 tagged listings. Tags come from NHS service flags and claimed profiles — confirm at the pharmacy. Ratings appear only with verified reviews; we never invent scores.

We only list a pharmacy here when the service is confirmed on its profile, so this is not every pharmacy that offers it. To check a pharmacy near you, open your town or city page and phone ahead.

Ratings and rankings are our editorial opinion, based on our publishedmethodology — they are not medical advice and pharmacies cannot pay to change a score. Where a pharmacy has no reviews we show "Not yet rated" — we never invent scores.Listings labelled Featured orReferral partner are paid placements; payment affects visibility only, never ratings or match results. We may receive a fee when you send a private-service enquiry.Private service prices are indicative — always confirm directly with the pharmacy.

3q Pharmacy

Community Pharmacy · Wellingborough · NN8 4RW · GPhC-registered premises

GPhC registeredNHS

01933 273373

NHS Prescriptions · Pharmacy First · Flu Jabs

Claim this listing

Community pharmacy in Wellingborough · GPhC 1105385

Contact for Prices

4court Pharmacy

Community Pharmacy · Rochdale · OL12 9BD · GPhC-registered premises

GPhC registeredNHS

01706 644994

NHS Prescriptions · Pharmacy First · Flu Jabs

Claim this listing

Community pharmacy in Rochdale · GPhC 1084639

Contact for Prices

7-11 Pharmacy

Community Pharmacy · Leicester · LE2 0FS · GPhC-registered premises

GPhC registeredNHS

0116 2511333

NHS Prescriptions · Pharmacy First · Flu Jabs

Claim this listing

Community pharmacy in Leicester · GPhC 1100687

Contact for Prices

A A Beggs

Community Pharmacy · Dover · CT16 1BW · GPhC-registered premises

GPhC registeredNHS

01304 205406

NHS Prescriptions · Pharmacy First · Flu Jabs

Claim this listing

Community pharmacy in Dover · GPhC 1032729

Contact for Prices

A.a. Pharmacy

Community Pharmacy · Basildon · SS14 3JT · GPhC-registered premises

GPhC registeredNHS

01268 520387

NHS Prescriptions · Pharmacy First · Flu Jabs

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Community pharmacy in Basildon · GPhC 1031030

Contact for Prices

A & A Gilbride Ltd

Community Pharmacy · Glasgow · G32 8EE · GPhC-registered premises

GPhC registeredNHS

0141641 3880

NHS Prescriptions · Emergency Contraception · stop smoking

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Community pharmacy in Glasgow · GPhC 1042312

Contact for Prices

A & A Gilbride Ltd

Community Pharmacy · Glasgow · G72 0DL · GPhC-registered premises

GPhC registeredNHS

01698 829618

NHS Prescriptions · Emergency Contraception · stop smoking

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Community pharmacy in Glasgow · GPhC 1042414

Contact for Prices

A.c. Moule & Co

Community Pharmacy · Middlesbrough · TS1 4JW · GPhC-registered premises

GPhC registeredNHS

01642 244717

NHS Prescriptions · Pharmacy First · Flu Jabs

Claim this listing

Community pharmacy in Middlesbrough · GPhC 1029962

Contact for Prices

A.e. Hobbs Ltd

Community Pharmacy · Tunbridge Wells · TN1 1RJ · GPhC-registered premises

GPhC registeredNHS

01892 546565

NHS Prescriptions · Pharmacy First · Flu Jabs

Claim this listing

Community pharmacy in Tunbridge Wells · GPhC 1033007

Contact for Prices

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is the morning-after pill free at pharmacies?▼

Yes, at most pharmacies. Since 29 October 2025 the oral emergency contraceptive pill has been free on the NHS at participating pharmacies across England — almost 10,000 offer the service. It was already free from community pharmacies in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Use the NHS 'find emergency contraception' finder or call NHS 111 to confirm a participating pharmacy near you.

How much does emergency contraception cost privately?▼

If you use a pharmacy that doesn't take part in the NHS service, or buy in advance from an online pharmacy, expect to pay £15-£30 after a private consultation.

How quickly do I need to take emergency contraception?▼

As soon as possible after unprotected sex — some methods are licensed for up to 5 days after, but all become less effective the longer you wait.

How do I check a pharmacy offering emergency contraception is GPhC-registered?▼

Open the listing, copy the premises registration number, and search it on pharmacyregulation.org. Match the name and address before you send ID, start a consultation, or pay. Pick My Pharmacy is a directory — we do not supply emergency contraception.

Does Pick My Pharmacy provide emergency contraception?▼

No. We compare GPhC-registered pharmacies. The pharmacy you choose supplies the service after its own clinical checks. Paid placements are labelled and never change a rating.

Related guides

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