Getting or staying on the pill used to mean a GP appointment for every start, every switch and every annual review — a genuine barrier when appointments are scarce and life is busy.
The NHS Pharmacy Contraception Service changed that. Across the Sandwell Pharmacy Group, you can now start oral contraception for the first time, restart after a break, or continue your current pill — free on the NHS, in a private consultation room, without going near a GP diary.
Both the combined pill and the progestogen-only ('mini') pill. First-time starts, restarts, continuations and switches between pills. The consultation covers your health history and preferences, plus a blood pressure and weight check where clinically needed — then you leave with your supply, typically several months' worth, free of charge.
It's a structured, private conversation with the pharmacist — around 10–15 minutes for a first supply, quicker for continuations. We check for anything that affects which pill suits you (migraine with aura, blood pressure, certain medicines), explain how to take it and what to do about missed pills, and book your review. Everything is confidential and recorded on the NHS system so your GP stays in the loop.
Anyone finding GP access slow. Students and shift workers who need flexible timing. Anyone whose repeat supply has run out at the worst moment — walk in and we can usually sort it same day. For contraception types beyond pills (implants, coils, injections), we'll point you to the right local service quickly.
1 Lyng Lane, West Bromwich B70 7RW · Mon–Fri 8:30am–6pm, Sat 9am–1pm · 0121 500 5756
Start your consultation →We use essential cookies to make the site work — things like your basket, sign-in and secure checkout. With your permission we’d also like to use analytics cookies to understand how the site is used and improve it. See our cookie policy.
