Free emergency contraceptive Posted or Updated on 5 Nov 2025

From 29 October 2025, women can now get the emergency contraceptive pill – often called the “morning-after pill” – free of charge from local pharmacies as part of a new NHS service. This change means you no longer need to make a GP appointment or visit a sexual health clinic if you need emergency contraception. Instead, you can go directly to a participating pharmacy for fast, confidential support.

This service is part of a wider NHS plan to make care more accessible and convenient through community pharmacies. Pharmacists are trained to provide advice, answer questions, and supply the medicine safely. If you’re under 16, the pharmacist will carry out a short, confidential assessment before providing the pill, in line with national guidance.

Locally, the following pharmacies are offering this free NHS service:

• Jaypharm (Gallions Reach Health Centre)
  Gallions Reach Health Centre, Bentham Road, Thamesmead, London SE28 8BE. 

• Morrisons Pharmacy, Thamesmead
  2 Twin Tumps Way, Thamesmead, London SE28 8RD. 

• Browne Pharmacy – Wilton Road
  16 Wilton Road, Abbey Wood, London SE2 9RH.

• Browne Pharmacy – Eynsham Drive
  174 Eynsham Drive, Abbey Wood, London SE2 9PT. 

• First Care Pharmacy
  Unit 6, The Reach, Thamesmead, London SE28 0NY.

• Royal Arsenal Pharmacy
  21-23 Arsenal Way, Woolwich, London SE18 6TE.

  If you think you might need the morning-after pill, please don’t delay. It works best the sooner it’s taken after unprotected sex. You can visit one of the pharmacies listed above and ask to speak privately with the pharmacist – no appointment needed.

  This is an important step in making women’s healthcare quicker, easier, and closer to home.