Key Summary
- Company Chemist Association chief executive, Malcolm Harrison, has termed the inclusion of depression in the NMS as a "testament to pharmacists’ role as medicines experts"
- Harrison said the new rule will help pharmacies play an even bigger role in the provision of sexual health services
- National Pharmacy Association chief executive Henry Gregg welcomed the move to allow emergency contraception services in pharmacies
The NHS England has announced that it will go ahead with the two planned changes to the New Medicine Service (NMS) - inclusion of depression as an eligible therapeutic area; and expansion of pharmacy contraception service to include emergency oral contraception, on Wednesday (29).
The NHS had earlier sent an email to all pharmacies in England regarding the expansion of oral contraception services.
The Company Chemist Association chief executive, Malcolm Harrison, has termed the inclusion of depression in the NMS as a "testament to pharmacists’ role as medicines experts".
"This expansion highlights the growing role community pharmacy plays in helping patients to manage long-term conditions, while also easing pressure on other parts of the NHS.
"The scope of NMS has expanded considerably since its launch in 2011, but funding has not kept pace. The service volume has grown by 40 percent in the last year alone.
"Each year, 6 percent of adults in England will experience an episode of depression. NHS data showed that in 2024/25, there were 92.6m anti-depressant items prescribed to an estimated 8.89m identified patients.
"The NMS could therefore see a considerable increase in demand. It is critical that continued investment in community pharmacy follows to ensure the service remains viable.”
Harrison sees the inclusion of emergency oral contraception as an "expansion to the clinical role of pharmacies" and feels this would build the existing contraception service.
He said the CCA has been calling for a nationally commissioned service for some years, mirroring the successes of the Scottish and Welsh services.
It had recently co-signed a letter with the NPA, RPS and FSRH (Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Health) urging policymakers to end the postcode lottery of local authority-commissioned services.
"Harnessing community pharmacy to play an even bigger role in the provision of sexual health services has formed a prominent part in the CCA’s 20222 and 2025 prospectuses.
"We are delighted that our recommendations have come to pass, showcasing the impact of a unified voice to deliver positive change."
He said that allowing patients to access both routine and emergency contraception in one place makes care more accessible, timely, and convenient for patients.
"These changes will also reduce complexity for pharmacy contractors and streamline service delivery for pharmacy teams."
National Pharmacy Association chief executive Henry Gregg welcomed the move to allow the roll-out of free morning after pills in pharmacies.
Gregg said, "We've long called for the national commissioning of emergency contraception, so this is good news for patients and pharmacies alike.
"For too long, access to free emergency contraception has been a postcode lottery for patients, with local arrangements only existing in certain parts of the country.
"Pharmacies are a great place for patients to get care quickly on their doorstep, and we would never want to see people priced out of such a vital treatment.
"It's really important that pharmacies, who are under significant pressure and closing in record numbers, are sustainably funded so they can continue to provide services to patients such as these."
