Plan for 'no prescription' Pill

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Women and girls under 16 would be able to obtain the oral contraceptive after a simple interview with qualified pharmacists.

The pilot scheme could put the Pill on the same footing as the morning after pill, which is already available without direct authorisation from a doctor.

Health minister Lord Darzi insisted "robust" standards would be put in place to ensure that staff were up to the job.

"We recognise that pharmacies could play an increased role in the provision of contraception and other sexual health services because of their accessibility and convenient opening hours," he told the House of Lords.

"We will work with primary care trusts over the next year to pilot supply of contraception, including the contraceptive pill, through NHS arrangements.

"We will work with the pharmacy profession to ensure robust standards setting appropriate training to ensure that pharmacists are competent to provide this service."

According to the Department of Health, a senior clinician at strategic health authorities (SHAs) would issue instructions called patient group directions (PGDs) to suitably-trained people like pharmacists.

PGDs are documents which make it legal for medicines to be given to groups of patients.

They enable pharmacists to consult with the patient and supply drugs without the need for individual prescriptions. These arrangements are currently in place for the morning-after pill.