You can now purchase Hana® without a doctor’s appointment from many pharmacies, or online via HanaDirect. No matter how you buy Hana®, you will need to undergo a consultation with a registered pharmacist first, to see if Hana® is right for you.
We completely understand that you might have a few questions about what actually happens during this consultation and why pharmacists are the right people to carry them out, so hopefully we can answer some of those here.
When you buy through HanaDirect, you will be required to answer a few questions on the checklist. Your answers are then passed on to an accredited pharmacist who is able to authorise or otherwise follow up on your order. Once we have confirmation that everything is looking good, we’ll keep you updated on the processing and dispatch of your order. If you are buying Hana® in a pharmacy, your pharmacist will ask you the same questions to know if Hana® is appropriate for you.
The HanaDirect checklist
If you choose to purchase your contraceptive pills via the internet, HanaDirect could be a great site for you. It should only take a couple of minutes to work your way through and includes the same questions you would expect to be asked face to face. This covers your age, whether you might be pregnant and a couple of questions about your medical history – for example whether you have experienced any health conditions or allergies, or whether you’ve been prescribed a contraceptive containing desogestrel before.
Then you place your order! That’s really all you need to do. Your checklist answers will go to a trained pharmacist who can then flag any potential issues. Otherwise, your order will be on its way shortly and we’ll send you an email to confirm. It will arrive in discreet packaging, and you can choose between next-day and 48-hour postage. Your information is always kept totally confidential.
Face-to-face consultation with a pharmacist
There should never be any major difference between consulting with a pharmacist and discussing the pill with your GP. You’ll be asked the same questions and have the same opportunity to discuss your options if you’ve got any questions of your own. They will want to know a few things about you, such as whether you have any previous or existing health conditions that may cause issues, whether you’re taking any medication and whether you have any allergies.
As with the online consultation, any information you provide to the pharmacist will be kept confidential. There’s no need to worry; pharmacists are trained healthcare professionals who are comfortable discussing sexual health. They are there to support you as you take charge of your contraception by purchasing them from the pharmacy.
Pharmacists are all highly qualified healthcare professionals and it is great news that a daily contraceptive pill can now be purchased from a pharmacy. This is great news for many people who are unable to conveniently access an appointment with their GP or wait for a prescription, but does not mean that you can’t discuss or access contraceptive pills through your GP if that’s preferable. Both HanaDirect and heading to the pharmacy could be great options for you to consider if you are unable to book or attend a doctor’s appointment.
How are pharmacists qualified to carry out consultations for the pill?
A pharmacist’s career begins with a 4-year Master of Pharmacy (MPharm) degree covering a wide range of scientific disciplines revolving around chemistry and physiology. It doesn’t end there; they will then undergo a pre-registration year of training which involves a patient-facing work placement. There are many places this placement can be carried out, including community pharmacies, hospitals, and GP surgeries – or anywhere else you might find a registered pharmacist.
The training pharmacists go through includes not only product-specific training, but also continued training and education on reproductive health and safeguarding, which is required to be kept up to date. A pharmacist who completes their training and meets these requirements can safely supply other over the counter medication as well as prescription medication. A pharmacist can also advise customers on which over-the-counter treatments may be best for them, and how best to take their medication.
It’s also important to recognise that there are other members of your pharmacy’s team including pharmacy technicians and assistants who are crucial for the smooth operation of the pharmacy, but do not carry the same qualifications and are unable to conduct these consultations.
Hopefully you now feel a little more confident about all of the different options available to you. Whether you choose to visit HanaDirect, the pharmacy, or your GP, you can access helpful advice regarding contraception from someone who understands your individual needs and circumstances. Both the pharmacy and HanaDirect are additional new points of safe access to the pill which allow you to connect with pharmacists who are qualified to help, and your GP is still a great option should you prefer to speak to them about your requirements.
If you’re interested in learning more about Hana®, why not read some of our other Ask Hana® pieces? You can also hear more about Hana® and why pharmacists are trusted healthcare providers in this interview with pharmacist Deborah Evans*.
Hana® 75μg film-coated tablets contains desogestrel and is an oral contraception for women of child bearing age and people with uteruses to prevent pregnancy. Always read the instructions on the package leaflet carefully.
*Deborah Evans does not endorse any products or brands.
