For many years in the UK FemCap cervical caps, Milex diaphragms and Gygel spermicide were available on prescription from the NHS. This ensured a cheap, subsidied price for users, which in turn encouraged a high level of use which meant more pharmacies were likely to either stock or be able to order these reusable barrier contraceptives.
Milex Diaphragms On Prescription?
Working with these devices I remember when around 2016 when Cooper Surgical reviewed their pricing and realised that the NHS Drug Tariff price that had been established for their Milex diaphragms was actually less than their cost price at that time. As distributors we were informed of several changes, including pricing and the distribution model being used.
I spoke with the European head of Cooper Surgical, he explained that the diaphragms were a very, very small part of their portfolio and nobody in the organisation could even work out who had negotiated the Drug Tariff price nor when that had happened, as it had been such a long, long time ago. Basically the NHS would not be getting their Milex diaphragms at the ‘old’ price any more.
Logically a new price could be set but the manufacturer really had no idea where to turn to begin discussing such a move.
FemCap Cervical Caps On Prescription?
A year later the same happened with the FemCap cervical cap. The US manufacturer stated that it was ridiculous to continue supplying the FemCap at a loss to the NHS based on a price that was over a decade old. Again, they had no idea where to turn to negotiate alternative pricing.
As those two dominos fell the result was that Doctors, Midwives and Gyno’s continued prescribing diaphragms and cervical caps but then the patients were told by their pharmacist that they couldn’t fulfil the prescription.
What About Gygel Spermicide On Prescription?
In parallel to this, the demand for spermicide fell too. Gygel, the prescription spermicide was then manufactured only sporadically, in batches sometimes up to a year apart, obtaining it at any point in the last five years was a huge challenge. Eventually, Gygel was discontinued. Milex diaphragms were then completely removed from the UK market.
Are ANY Reusable Barriers Available On The NHS?
At this moment in time, our understanding is that no other diaphragms, cervical caps or spermicides are available “on prescription” with the NHS Drug Tariff pricing.
This means less contraceptive choice for couples in the UK along with higher pricing too.
Our belief is that there should always be more choice, more education and more accessibility, with cost not becoming a prohibiting factor. But that’s sadly not the case right now.
Is This The End For Diaphragms And Caps In The UK?
Whilst the story so far may have you thinking of nails and coffins for these forms of contraception, the opposite is actually true.
We are currently enjoying a renaissance in reusable barrier contraception, thanks in part to the new, easy to use Caya single size diaphragm and also the lactic acid based contraceptive gels, ContraGel and Caya Gel which are natural alternatives to spermicide. Gygel spermicide was a Nonoxynol 9 based compound which meant that there were frequent complaints about itchiness. This could be enough to push a couple to another method of contraception. An ‘itch free’ alternative can prevent such a migration.
Additionally a shift away from hormonal contraception, such as the pill has become a growing trend. This can bring couples to choose a diaphragm as their primary method of contraception or to choose a fertility tracking based method like Fertility Awareness, but then use a diaphragm during their six to eight day fertility window.
The status quo at the moment is that interest and volumes of these barriers and gels is by every metric that we can measure, HIGHER than the diaphragms and spermicide of ten years ago.
Diaphragms And Cervical Caps In The UK
Singa diaphragms are a new, lighter, more developed version of the ‘traditional’ diaphragm which the Milex represented, these are now available in the UK for purchase by the end user, once their size has been ascertained by a healthcare professional. The public and healthcare professionals can learn more at Singa-Diaphragm.co.uk. Clinical samples, training materials and fitting kits are also available through the same website.
FemCap is still available in the UK, although not on prescription. More details are available at Fem-Cap.co.uk.
ContraGel can be ordered through ContraGel.co.uk.
Caya Gel and Caya diaphragms, as well as training materials and clinical samples can be obtained from Caya.co.uk.
If you have more information that you think we should include to keep this page up to date and accurate, please get in touch!
