Pharmacies forced to refuse women seeking free contraception under new scheme

'Allowing pharmacies to directly supply contraception on foot of a structured consultation would be safe, accessible, and convenient for patients and provide benefits for the health system as a whole as resources would be utilised more effectively.'

Pharmacists are turning away customers seeking access to free routine contraception as confusion grows over why it is not available without a prescription.

Women can receive the emergency morning-after pill from pharmacies, but a new Government scheme offering free routine contraception to women, aged 17 to 30, can only be availed of through GPs.