Reproductive control agents

How to approach challenging scenarios in primary care pharmacy

Three examples of vulnerable patients and those at risk of harm. The featured scenarios consider themes of suicide, addiction and sexual violence.…

Depression and ‘the pill’: untangling the evidence

A closer look at the conflicting evidence around links between the oral contraceptive and mood changes, following calls for more research in this area.…

Women taking combined contraceptive pill more likely to develop depression in first two years of use, research shows

The study authors said they plan to examine different formulations and methods of contraception in further research.…

‘Landmark moment’ as women can start oral contraception in some community pharmacies

Exclusive: Under tier 2 of the NHS Community Pharmacy Contraception Service pilot, pharmacists will be able to initiate the oral contraceptive pill, using a patient group direction, without patients having to visit their GP first.…

New approaches to male contraception

Attitudes to male contraception are starting to shift, opening up a potential market in which researchers are hopeful the pharmaceutical industry will want to invest.…

Infertility in men: assessment and treatment

An overview of the causes and endocrinology of male infertility considering the available treatment options, the role of medicines and how pharmacists can support patients.…

MPs vote in favour of continued online provision of medical abortion drugs

Temporary measures to allow women to have early-stage abortions at home following a video consultation during the COVID-19 pandemic will now be made permanent.…

Community pharmacies in England to carry out contraception checks to free up GP time

NHS England says the oral contraception scheme will relieve burden on primary care while improving access for patients.…

Community pharmacies to provide three-month supply of desogestrel as bridging contraception

Providing a three-month supply of contraception is expected to give patients "time to access their GP or sexual health services" for long-term prescriptions.…

Provision of progestogen-only pill with emergency contraception in community pharmacy improves ongoing contraception use

Community pharmacy provision of the progestogen-only pill, and the offer of rapid access to a sexual and reproductive health clinic along with emergency contraception, was associated with a 20% increase in use of effective contraception.…