Contraception: POM to P switch and new roles

This year brought an expansion of community pharmacist involvement in providing and managing oral contraception. Exciting news was announced following a safety review by the Commission on Human Medicines and two public consultations (in February 2021) on the POM to P switch of two progestogen-only contraceptives.

Hana and Lovima (75mcg desogestrel) were reclassified with 80 per cent of those responding to the consultations supporting the move. Desogestrel was found to be “safe for most women to take” when sold over the counter. 

In November, pharmacists in Scotland were enabled to provide a three-month supply – also known as bridging contraception – of desogestrel 75mcg tablets to patients following a request or after an emergency hormonal contraception consultation.³ Meanwhile, in England (in September), a 12-month pilot commenced in seven primary care network areas enabling community pharmacists to provide repeat contraception to patients already using oral hormonal contraceptives.⁴ 

All these developments mean women will have greater choice in how to obtain contraception either through purchasing medication or from NHS-funded services. Cost may drive patient choice as to which route is chosen.