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Original poster

Just been refused a prescription for the morning after pill as you can buy it from a pharmacy

74 replies

Youally · 01/04/2022 15:02

I called the GP surgery to ask if the practice nurse could prescribe the MAP for me and was told the NHS don’t prescribe it anymore as you can buy it. I’ve just been to boots and it costs nearly £30.

It’s the first time I’ve ever used the MAP and actually the first time I’ve used my GP in 4 years! What about people who can’t afford it?

OP posts:
mrsmoppp · 01/04/2022 15:04

I've noticed at a pharmacy in the centre where I live they give it for free, I'm not sure what the criteria is but I agree it is expensive. Could u get it from the family planning clinic for free?

Clockstooforward · 01/04/2022 15:05

Absolutely bloody shocking! Contact your GP practice and tell them you cannot afford it!
Why so much? Normal prescription is £9.80

Mamamia7962 · 01/04/2022 15:06

Because contraception in the UK is free, and with the NHS struggling they have to try and save money somewhere.

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Original poster
Youally · 01/04/2022 15:07

I’m trying to find a pharmacy which prescribes for free but not having much luck. I can’t believe the NHS does not prescribe this anymore. £30 is a lot of money to some people!

OP posts:
Original poster
Youally · 01/04/2022 15:08

@Mamamia7962 but it clearly isn’t free….?

OP posts:
Svara · 01/04/2022 15:10

You can get it at some hospitals for free

Butitsnotfunnyisititsserious · 01/04/2022 15:12

You can order it on Superdrug next day delivery, the own brand is £10, the others are £26 and £33. They deliberately priced emergency contraception higher to avoid people using it regularly.

TakeYourFinalPosition · 01/04/2022 15:13

My Trust don't prescribe anything that's available OTC anymore, there's signs everywhere saying that if the best treatment is available OTC, they'll advise you on what to get but won't write a prescription as it costs the Trust XXX per year.

I'm not sure what happens if you can't afford it. There used to be a scheme that provided things for free on prescription if you needed it, I think it was called Minor Ailments or something, but it got badly abused by people stocking up on free Calpol and the like.

I think @Mamamia7962 meant that as contraception like the pill is prescribed for free, they've stopped prescribing the MAP for free, but that's not the case where I am. It's simply because it's available OTC.

You might need to visit a few pharmacies and talk to the pharmacist, if you explain that you can't afford it, they may have some leeway. Not that you should have to.

AWombleScorned · 01/04/2022 15:16

Where I am you can get it free from a pharmacy if you can’t afford to pay for it. You paid for it so we’re able to afford it 🤷🏽‍♀️

FleurDeLizz · 01/04/2022 15:16

My local council website has a list of pharmacies and it shows that most pharmacies offer free oral contraceptives to women under 30. They also seem to have own brand options starting from £10

BuffyFanForever · 01/04/2022 15:17

Contraception is free though from a range of places...

Wimbunds · 01/04/2022 15:20

A baby will cost that Trust a lot more than the morning after pill

OurChristmasMiracle · 01/04/2022 15:20

You can order it online in some London areas via Sexual health London or speak with a sexual health clinic and they can prescribe it for you for free

Also a number of chemists do also issue the morning after pill for free.

Brideandprejudice · 01/04/2022 15:22

I believe the cost is to deter people from relying upon using it regularly. Although I believe it's free for young people aged up to around 24?

BalladOfBarryAndFreda · 01/04/2022 15:22

Sexual health walk in or appointment clinics prescribe it for free.

Some pharmacies but not all do it for free.

Good luck OP.

user28728871 · 01/04/2022 15:22

@Youally the cheapest is £10 online at Boots but it all depends on which one you need. If you do the online consultation it will tell you.

gamerchick · 01/04/2022 15:23

I'd rather pay that than for a baby. Get the own brand stuff as has been suggested.

BalladOfBarryAndFreda · 01/04/2022 15:23

There are systems in place for women who genuinely cannot afford it.

TheFlis12345 · 01/04/2022 15:26

Superdrug gave it to me for free if I took it in store (they have a consulting room to use) but said I would have to be charged if I took it away with me. That was a few years ago though.

OneNightTimeMenaceStrikesBack · 01/04/2022 15:28

gps no longer prescroibe a whole rang eof mewdication that you can buy over the counter. its a cost saving exercise and it hink its fair enough.

erinaceus · 01/04/2022 15:47

Are you able to call a local sexual health clinic and explain the problem, and ask if they have any suggestions?

Isobelslider · 01/04/2022 15:50

It used to be free at Boots.

You used to have the option of paying or having it for free but being lectured by the pharmacist for daring to have sex in the two hours before you get the shits.

Danikm151 · 01/04/2022 15:52

This should be available for free.
You can buy the pill over the counter now but does that mean it should stop being free?
Sexual health clinic can help.

PegasusReturns · 01/04/2022 15:54

Can you afford it?

If you can then you should pay for it.

If you can’t then a sexual health clinic can prescribe for free.

This week I’ve seen at least 3 reports of elderly people left lying on pavements for 12+ hours whilst they wait for ambulances. The NHS is broken.

MurmuratingStarling · 01/04/2022 15:54

That's a lot!!!

I am fully on board with the GPs refusing prescriptions for things that cost less than a fiver. But having to buy a £30 item that would only cost a tenner on prescription is terrible.