Dear Member,
Please find attached a 4-page EHC briefing for community pharmacy under PCS. Use it only alongside the NHSE service specification and PGDs. Before any clinical decision, read the originals available
at:
https://www.england.nhs.uk/publication/nhs-pharmacy-contraception-service/
The Core content
- Pathways: levonorgestrel ≤96 hours; ulipristal acetate ≤120 hours.
- Copper IUD: offer
every time and refer promptly.
- Exclusions (headline): pregnancy; outside time window; lack of capacity or not Fraser competent; <21 days postpartum; <5 days after miscarriage, abortion, ectopic or GTD evacuation; hypersensitivity; acute porphyria.
- UPA specific:
any progestogen in previous 7 days; acid-suppressing medicines; severe asthma on oral steroids; enzyme inducers or within 4 weeks of stopping.
- LNG specific: UPA taken in last 5 days; consider 3 mg if BMI >26 kg/m² or weight >70 kg or enzyme inducer use.
- Key
rules: repeat dose if vomiting within 3 hours; pregnancy test in 3 weeks if no normal bleed; restart ongoing contraception immediately after LNG and delay 5 days after UPA.
- Governance: named staff on PGDs; full clinical record; safeguarding level 3; Yellow Card; no advance supply; in-pharmacy or remote from the registered premises only.
Your Immediate actions
- File with PCS SOPs.
- Confirm IUD referral routes and stock of LNG 1.5 mg and UPA 30 mg.
- Circulate to all pharmacists and authorised pharmacy technicians named on the PGDs and complete any relevant training needs.
