The morning after pill is available from the majority of pharmacies across Northern Ireland.

If you are aged 13 or older, you can now get the morning after pill free from community pharmacies across Northern Ireland.

Find a pharmacy near you offering this service on this map.

When using this service, you will receive a private and confidential consultation with the pharmacist without the need to make an appointment. The pharmacist will provide sexual health advice which includes the risks of getting a sexually transmitted infection (STI) and how to obtain free tests if needed.

As well as providing free emergency contraception, the pharmacist will give you advice about regular methods of contraception. They may also give you a free three months’ supply of the contraceptive pill.

What is the morning after pill?

• The morning after pill is taken after unprotected sex to help prevent an unplanned pregnancy
• You can take the morning after pill up to five days after unprotected sex but the sooner you take it the more effective it will be.
• The morning after pill is not an abortion. It aims to prevent pregnancy by delaying the release of an egg. It does not work if taken after the egg has been released.
• Your pharmacist will advise you to use additional contraception in the days following emergency contraception.
• Although emergency contraception is available to those under 16 years of age there are guidelines when providing it. Your pharmacist will discuss these with you at the time.
• The most effective emergency contraceptive is the copper coil. For more information on how to access this, see https://www.sexualhealthni.info/contraception

Community pharmacies across Northern Ireland will be able to provide further information about the service and have information leaflets available.