News | Sexual health

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First pharmacy in UK to pilot NHS contraceptive implant service

The contraceptive implant service is aimed to provide convenient and equal access to reversible contraception and drive down unintended pregnancies in Liverpool.…

Published: 28 August 2025

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‘World-first’ gonorrhoea vaccine programme begins in England

The gonorrhoea vaccine will be made available in sexual health clinics alongside existing jabs for mpox, hepatitis A and B and HPV.…

Published: 5 August 2025

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UK issues first guideline on post-exposure prophylaxis for syphilis

The British Association for Sexual Health and HIV has highlighted research that shows how doxycycline post-exposure prophylaxis reduces syphilis cases by 80%.…

Published: 11 June 2025

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MHRA urges women taking weight-loss drugs to use effective contraception

Guidance published by the medicines regulator has warned that patients trying to conceive should remain on contraception for a “wash-out” period after stopping GLP-1 receptor agonists.…

Published: 5 June 2025

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Antibiotic could help tackle drug-resistant gonorrhoea, study results suggest

Researchers found that gepotidacin was as effective as the current recommended first-line therapy for gonorrhoea.…

Published: 22 April 2025

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Two-clinician review for men taking valproate not required, says MHRA

The requirement that two specialists must review any patient aged under 55 years taking valproate will now only apply to patients who are starting the drug.…

Published: 14 February 2025

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PrEP pilot underway in five community pharmacies across south west England

The University of Bristol-led pilot is aimed to address inequalities in access to pre-exposure prophylaxis.…

Published: 16 January 2025

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Ban on puberty blockers in the UK made indefinite, government says

Independent expert advice provided by the Commission on Human Medicines has urged that the ban continue while progress is made towards safeguarding children and young people.…

Published: 16 December 2024

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Access to PrEP from community pharmacies could be piloted from autumn 2025

Exclusive: The Welsh government said it would explore pharmacist involvement in a pilot scheme designed to improve access to pre-exposure prophylaxis in the community.…

Published: 10 December 2024

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RPS raises concerns after draft HIV guidance recommends unregulated website for purchasing PrEP

The guidance suggests options to patients who are unable or unwilling to access PrEP on the NHS and calls for community pharmacies to “support greater equity” in accessing the drug.…

Published: 2 December 2024