The Morning After Pill Will Soon Be Free From UK Pharmacies

Huge news for anyone who has ever had to make a sweaty, post-date dash to the nearest open pharmacy for the morning after pill. This week, the UK government announced that people will soon be able to access the emergency contraceptive pill free of charge from community pharmacies, putting an end to the postcode lottery that can leave you paying up to £30+ to access it (or nothing at all!) depending on where you live. This landmark decision represents a crucial step forward in removing financial barriers to emergency contraception – something we've long advocated for as essential to reproductive healthcare equality.

A Positive Step Forward

The move to make emergency contraception free marks significant progress in addressing reproductive healthcare. Previously, if trying to get hold of the morning after pill from a pharmacy rather than a GP or sexual health centre, the morning after pill could carry a hefty cost of anywhere from £15 to £35, creating a substantial financial barrier for many, particularly those in vulnerable situations or with limited resources. Eliminating this cost barrier is a real step forward in acknowledging emergency contraception as a fundamental healthcare right rather than a luxury item.

However, removing the cost is just one part of the problem to solve. While we wholeheartedly applaud this financial breakthrough, we think it’s really important to recognise that price is just one of many barriers people at risk of pregnancy face when seeking emergency contraception. Before we launched emergency contraception as part of the online clinic service at HANX, we spoke with our community about their honest experiences accessing it from pharmacies. Their feedback highlighted several persistent issues that still require attention.

The Stigma Persists

Despite 1 in 3 women accessing the morning after pill in 2023 (NHS Digital), it can still be really awkward, embarrassing or plain difficult to get emergency contraception. Too many people reported experiences of judgment, shaming, and unnecessary questioning when attempting to access the morning after pill.

We've heard countless stories from our community about being turned away by moralising pharmacists, being forced to answer personal questions about their sex life, weight or lifestyle in front of a crowded chemist queue and feeling ashamed to visit a family GP or pharmacy in a small town where everyone knows their business.

These experiences aren't just inconvenient – they can be deeply distressing. In 2025, no one should be shamed simply for taking control of their reproductive health. Whether you had a condom split, forgot your hormonal contraceptive pill or unprotected sex, you deserve respect in a healthcare setting. Frankly, in an ideal world, getting the morning after pill would have no more moral judgement than asking for a pack of plasters.

The Time Pressure Problem

Shame isn't the only barrier we need to address. 

Lifting the barrier of cost is a brilliant move, but access still remains a key issue. Our community highlighted the challenge of making a time-pressured journey to access emergency contraception during the strict effectiveness window to prevent pregnancy. Finding an open pharmacist or sexual health clinic with appointments can be impossible over weekends, bank holidays or while on holiday abroad. 

What many people don't realise is that the morning after pill has a shelf life of up to three years when stored correctly. This raises an important question: why not make it available in advance, allowing those who might need it to keep it at home just in case? With our community strongly supporting this approach - 74% state they want to be able to keep the morning after pill on hand as a backup option at home to avoid a time-pressured trip - we launched our additional emergency contraception service to allow them to do just that. 

Change, Please

Our Co-Founder Dr Sarah Welsh has seen and supported patients firsthand with emergency contraception during her NHS career. Her perspective on this week's news?

"Free access to the emergency contraceptive pill is absolutely a victory worth celebrating - we know that this will be a lifeline for many. However, it's also an opportunity to address these remaining barriers that can get in the way of vital healthcare. Emergency contraception should always be available without judgment or stigma, from healthcare professionals who have received comprehensive training to ensure they deliver the empathetic care that can really make a difference for patients."

What are your thoughts on this move? We’d love to hear your perspective…

Want more?

• The full back story on why we launched the morning after pill as part of the online clinic at HANX? Read on.

• From thrush treatments to weight management support, discover the full offering of doctor-approved clinic services via HANX.

• Always be prepared - pack our natural, gynae-designed condoms in your purse. Shop now.