Community pharmacies in England have been told to consider winding down their stocks of sub-dermal contraceptive implants, as supply routes are set to change.

From 1 January 2025, GP practices will be able to order the sub dermal contraceptive implant (Nexplanon 68mg implant) directly, NHS England revealed last week in its primary care bulletin.

This will mean that patients do not have to go to the pharmacy to pick up the implant themselves and then make a further GP appointment to get it fitted, the bulletin said.

And it advised community pharmacies to 'consider running down their stocks of sub-dermal implants in response to this change'.

Community Pharmacy England (CPE) noted that the incoming changes were 'likely to significantly reduce the number of Nexplanon prescriptions dispensed by community pharmacies in England'.

'To ensure that pharmacy owners have a minimum of three months to run down stocks of Nexplanon, NHS England has published advance notice of these changes in order to help pharmacy owners review and manage their stock holding of these implants,' CPE said in a statement published on its website.

And it highlighted that the General Medical Services Statement of Financial Entitlements (SFE) will be published on 1 October 2024 to include this change.

Community pharmacies have called for a dedicated Sexual and Reproductive Health Strategy and improved access to the full range of contraceptives for all people in the location of their choosing.

Under the NHS Pharmacy Contraception Service, introduced last year, participating community pharmacies can initiate and manage ongoing supplies of oral contraception.

Eventually, the service is expected to include Long Acting Reversible Contraceptives (LARCs) including implants, vaginal rings, injections and patches, but not intrauterine systems (IUS) and intrauterine devices (IUD).