The free morning-after pill: how it works at S R Pharmacy

Written by the pharmacy team at S R Pharmacy, October 2026.

Since 29 October 2025, emergency contraception (often called the morning-after pill) has been free from NHS community pharmacies in England, including S R Pharmacy at 4 Kings Furlong Centre. You don't need a GP appointment or a prescription, and you don't need to be registered with a GP.

How soon should I come in?

As soon as you can. There are two types of emergency contraceptive pill, and both work best the sooner they're taken after unprotected sex:

• one can be taken up to 3 days (72 hours) afterwards
• the other can be taken up to 5 days (120 hours) afterwards

Our pharmacist will help you choose the right one. A copper coil (IUD), fitted within 5 days, is the most effective emergency contraception. It's fitted at sexual health clinics and some GP surgeries rather than in a pharmacy, and we can tell you how to arrange one.

What happens at the pharmacy

Ask at the counter. You'll have a short, private conversation with our pharmacist in the consultation room about when you had unprotected sex, any medicines you take and your health. If the pill is suitable, we'll supply it there and then, with advice about what comes next.

There's no age limit. Our pharmacist will have a confidential conversation with younger people to make sure the pill is suitable and that they're safe.

Afterwards

• If you're sick within 3 hours of taking the pill, come back to us, because you may need another dose.
• Your next period may come earlier or later than usual. If it's more than 7 days late, or unusually light or short, take a pregnancy test.
• The morning-after pill doesn't protect you if you have unprotected sex again later in your cycle, and it doesn't protect against sexually transmitted infections.

If you'd like regular contraception, we can also start or continue the contraceptive pill on the NHS. See our contraception service, or read more about emergency contraception at S R Pharmacy.