Expansion of the NHS Pharmacy Contraception Service – updated service specification and patient group directions

In anticipation of the expansion of the NHS Pharmacy Contraception Service to include emergency contraception, the updated service specification and patient group directions (PGDs) will be published on NHS England’s website on Monday 20 October 2025. This will allow community pharmacy teams to prepare for the service expansion, including the delivery of PGDs by pharmacy technicians.

IT suppliers plan to update their systems ahead of go-live to allow contractors to record consultations appropriately and in line with the changes. The current service documents will be available on the NHSBSA website and will remain in place until the service commencement date for these enhancements is announced and authorised by NHS England.

Community pharmacy teams providing the NHS Pharmacy Contraception Service should read the updated service documents and sign the PGD authorisation sheet(s) in preparation for go-live. 

Enabling pharmacist flexibilities when dispensing medicines – consultation

The Department for Health and Social Care and NHS England have launched a consultation seeking views on proposals to enable pharmacist flexibilities when dispensing medicines.

Proposals include amending the Human Medicines Regulations 2012 to increase pharmacist flexibilities when dispensing medicines by enabling pharmacists working in a community pharmacy to supply a different strength or formulation of the same medicine originally prescribed, in certain circumstances. This consultation closes at 11:59pm on 11 December 2025.